In Sermon Illustrations:

The Path Of Rescue—follow The Light

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

THE PATH OF RESCUE--FOLLOW THE LIGHT Bob Russell shared an interesting illustration about darkness and light several years back with the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He said: "Every once in a while we get a bird inside this sanctuary. He doesn't really want to be in here, but ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Salvation

Refining Sap To Maple Syrup  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

REFINING SAP TO MAPLE SYRUP Dr. David Osborn at Denver Seminary says, "Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while He is using our circumstances to change us." (Compass, April 2003) You see, God is right now in the process of making us like Christ. Think of the process of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 13:1-6, Psalm 34:15-16

Tags: Sanctification

Prayer For Thieves  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2011

PRAYER FOR THIEVES About 12 years ago, three men broke into our church building here. They didn't steal much, and they didn't really damage all that much (they broke a couple of doors, and stole a few small items) but we called the police and reported the incident. After the police left, our youth ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Tags: Prayer Answered

Firm Foundation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2011

FIRM FOUNDATION Ravi Zacharias told about doing a lectureship several years ago at the Ohio State University. As he was being driven to the lecture, they passed what was then the "new" Wexner Art Center. The driver commented, "This is a new art building for the university. It is a fascinating ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Tags: Foundation

The Maker

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 6, 2011

THE MAKER An old Model T Ford was pulled off to the side of the road with its hood up, and a young man was trying desperately to get it running. He had been working at it for a long time without any success when a beautiful, chauffeur-driven limousine stopped behind him, and a well-dressed man got ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Knowing God's Will

When Do We Worship

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2011

WHEN DO WE WORSHIP Author Douglas J. Moo: "Worship is not merely, or even mainly, what we do on Sunday morning. Worship is a 24/7 matter. We worship God when we give ourselves to him in service. We worship God when we show love to others, when we do our jobs faithfully and with integrity, when we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Tags: Worship Definition

Who's Watching?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2011

WHO'S WATCHING? I remember the story of that man who wanted to steal a goat. He took his four children and said to them: "You hide there, you hide by my left, you hide at my back, you hide by my right. If you see anybody coming, give me a sign that I will quickly stop whatever I 'm doing." But as ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13

Tags: God's Omniscience

Consequences For Karla Faye Tucker

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2011

CONSEQUENCES FOR KARLA FAYE TUCKER Karla Faye Tucker was convicted in 1983 for the murders of two people. While on death row in 1985, she picked up a Bible from the prison ministry program and prayed to receive Christ after reading it. On June 22, 1992, Tucker requested that her life be spared on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Sin Punishment Of

Before It's Too Late

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2011

BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE USA Today had an article on the front page about those who escaped the World Trade Center on September 11. After interviewing over 300 survivors and family members of victims, USA Today concluded that in the South tower those who didn’t delay but ran for safety immediately ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

What The Cross Displayed  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2011

WHAT THE CROSS DISPLAYED Author Henri Nouwen tells the story of a family he knew in Paraguay. The father, a doctor, spoke out against the military regime there and its human rights abuses. Local police took their revenge on him by arresting his teenage son and torturing him to death. Enraged ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-15

Tags: Cross

Deficiencies

Contributed by Mark Adams on Aug 13, 2011

DEFICIENCIES I want to tell you about a weird thing that used to happen a lot to sailors during the 1600s. Vessels were getting more sea worthy, and adventures were taking people farther and farther from home. You might be on the same ship with the same people, with the same person cooking for ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Right Name Opens Doors  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Aug 15, 2011

THE RIGHT NAME OPENS DOORS Mark Roberts wrote of a time when he visited the Capitol as a guest of Congressman John Campbell. As long as he was with the congressman, he could walk freely around the Capitol, entering many areas that were reserved "for authorized personnel only," reserved for members ...read more

Scripture: John 15:16, John 16:23-24, John 14:13-14

Tags: Prayer How To

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And The Bounty

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2011

THE BIBLE AND THE BOUNTY The English ship Bounty, commanded by Lt. William Bligh, journeyed to the South Pacific in 1787. Many signed on considering the voyage a trip to paradise. Bligh appointed a young friend, Fletcher Christian, to the post of second in command. The Bounty stayed in Tahiti for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-11

Tags: Bible Influence

Not Ashamed

Contributed by William L. Vincent on Aug 15, 2011

NOT ASHAMED No matter what you are looking for, you can find a religion or philosophy to fit your state of mind. We find this culture creating pressure on the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We find people church-shopping--looking for the right “fit” for their needs. And I realize that we need to ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Orthodox

Someone Once Said: "Give According To Your ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 18, 2011

Someone once said: "Give according to your income, lest God makes your income according to your giving." (Source: Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (163). Grand Rapids, MI: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Tags: Giving General

The Lord's Fire

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2011

THE LORD'S FIRE The Lord’s fire will either consume us from the inside out or ...read more

Tags: Hell

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Eeyore Syndrome  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 22, 2011

THE EEYORE SYNDROME In the past I have spoken of what I call, "The Eeyore Syndrome"--these are Christians who walk around acting like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. They choose to look at the gloomy side of life. Their eyes are cast down, their countenance is cheerless, and they have no enthusiasm ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Tags: Disappointment

Beware Of Dog!

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 22, 2011

BEWARE OF DOG! Upon entering a little country store a stranger noticed a sign saying "DANGER! BEWARE OF DOG!" posted on the glass door. Inside, he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor near the cash register. He asked the store’s owner "Is that the dog folks are supposed to beware ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-35

Tags: Giving, Receive, Blessed, Christian Witness

Saving A Stranger

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 23, 2011

SAVING A STRANGER In his book Open the Door Wide to Happy Living, T. Huffman Harris told of a young man named Eddie who became tired of life and decided to leap from a bridge into a turbulent river. Jim, a total stranger, saw Eddie being swept downstream and plunged into the water in an effort to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Who Created The Universe?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 23, 2011

WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE? In 2005, Newsweek and Beliefnet asked Americans this question: "Do you believe that God created the universe?" Eighty percent of those responding said the universe was created by God. That's good news! And it's pretty amazing that after all of the money and effort spent ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Tags: Creation