In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Corinthians 2 1 12 13 16"

Game . . . Set . . . Match? (06.15.05--The Tie ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 13, 2005

Game . . . Set . . . Match? (06.15.05--The Tie That Binds--1 John 4:16) “What more can I do? I’ve given you the best that I have, everything that is mine to give is yours. I simply don’t know what more I can do?” If you’ve never uttered these words yet in your life, it is likely that someday you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16, Isaiah 40:28-29

Tags: God's Love, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

Black Eye Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Sep 12, 2023

With football season in full swing, I often think of my high school football days. I wasn’t very good at all but, as the saying goes, the older I get the better I was. One of my few highlights from those days was a kickoff return. You may be thinking that my story is about a game winning return but ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:41, 1 Peter 4:16

Tags: Trials, Persecutions, Persecution, Endurance, Trial, Ridicule  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Ways To Build Self-Control

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

To be self-controlled is to restrain ourselves by not giving in to our depraved desires. We can say “no” when everything in us is saying “yes” for all the wrong reasons. We deny worldly lusts when we withhold our consent from them and when we refuse the delight they suggest. God will give us the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Temptation, Character, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Little Thing Caused A Big Problem!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 7, 2020

My car was due for an oil change so I drove it to the same place where I had gone for several years. After all, they knew me and I trusted them and I’ve never had a problem. A few minutes later, the car was tasting some fresh oil and I was good to go for a while! Except—something happened in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Alertness, Consequences, Sins

Denomination: Baptist

Significant Finds: Researcher George Barna Lists ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2006

Significant Finds: Researcher George Barna lists the fol-lowing as his most notable findings in ’00. (1) Only 4% of born again adults are certain of the existence of absolute moral truth. (2) 94% of black adults rank having a close, personal relationship with God as a top life priority, com-pared ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

From A Strictly Mathematical Viewpoint

Contributed by Fran Van Hoven on Jun 29, 2007

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint: What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life? ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Adopted Children Are More Likely To Have Parents ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

Adopted Children are more likely to have parents who are older, married, wealthier and more educated than children raised by biological parents, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. 2.1 million adopted children and 4.4 million stepchildren lived in U.S. homes in ‘00. Together, these children represented ...read more

Tags: Children

Jewish Understanding About Divorce

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

“The school of Shammai say: A man may not divorce his wife unless he finds in her a matter of lewdness, as it says, "If he finds in her an unseemly thing" (Deuteronomy 24:1), but the school of Hillel say: Even if she burnt his food, as it says, "If he finds in her an unseemly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-9, Mark 10:1-12, Luke 16:18, 1 Corinthians 7:11-13, Deuteronomy 24:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Background, Jewish, Divorce, Remarriage

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sin ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2009

SIN DEFINITIONS What is sin? Here are some suggestions: "Sin is like a kidney stone. No one likes a kidney stone, nor should anyone like sin." "Sin is like a rotten egg we try to cover up with spices." "Sin is like a cancer with a 0% survival rate." "Sin is like weeds in a garden; if not ...read more

Tags: Sin General

According To The Barna Group The "Percentage Of ...

Contributed by John Shearhart on Aug 25, 2007

According to the Barna Group the “percentage of adults nationwide who have attended a church [worship] service in the past seven days” in 2004 was 43%” (1) The University of Michigan found that “weekly church attendance is higher in the United States than in any other nation at a comparable level ...read more

American Donors Give About The Same Over The Long ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

American Donors give about the same over the long term. The IRS reports that those who itemize deductions on their tax returns have claimed since 1975 that between 1.6% and 2.16% of their income went to charitable concerns. Gallup polls finds that charitable donations run between 1.5% and 2% and ...read more

Tags: Giving General

19th Century Revival Sparked By ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 30, 2009

19th Century Revival Sparked by Prayer In 1857 there was a 46 year old man named Jeremiah Lamphere who lived in New York City. Jeremiah loved the Lord tremendously, but he didn’t feel that he could do much for the Lord until he began to feel a burden for the lost and accepted an invitation from his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Revival

[249]. A Message From A Poem – Strange Doctrines Are Among Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 2, 2026

[249]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – STRANGE DOCTRINES ARE AMONG US [[ “Secernment” (third stanza) refers to the act or process of separating or distinguishing substances, often used in a physiological context to describe the secretion of substances in the body. It can also mean the ability to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28, Acts 20:29-30, Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 3:13, 1 Timothy 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Wolves Among Us, Perverse, Elders, Errors, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Strange Doctrines, Faith, Discernment, Fight, Fail, Vigilant  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nothing Has A Greater Impact On Spiritual Growth ...

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Mar 7, 2012

"Nothing has a greater impact on spiritual growth than reflection on Scripture. If churches could do only one thing to help people at all levels of spiritual maturity grow in their relationship with Christ, their choice is clear. They would inspire, encourage, and equip their people to read the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Baptist

Child Care: A New National Alliance For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Child Care: A new National Alliance for Caregiving study says 1.3 million to 1.4 million children (ages 8-18) in the U.S. care for sick or disabled relatives. At least 75% get some help, but half spend a ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Proverbs On The Words That We Speak

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 18, 2024

PROVERBS ON WORDS THAT WE SPEAK The Book of Proverbs shows us the seriousness of our words before the Lord. _________________________________________ "Violence covers the mouth of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:11). "The mouth of the foolish is a present destruction" (Proverbs ...read more

Tags: Lying, Wisdom, Mouth, Words, Speech, Lips  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroines-Another Woman At A Well

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 7, 2022

Introduction: Many of us are familiar with the story of “the woman at the well” in Samaria who spoke with Jesus (John 4). Many years before, another woman, at another well, helped save David’s life and maybe even the kingdom! Text, 2 Samuel 17:15-20, KJV: 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:15-20

Tags: Unsung Heroines, Wells, Hushai

Denomination: Baptist

The Called

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 15, 2019

The Called are those who have been summoned by God. Called to salvation (Rom. 8:30) Called both Jews and Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:24) Called "with a holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9) Called with a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) Called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Pet. 2:9) Called to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:30

Tags: Election, Calling, God's Sovreignty

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Achilles' Heel

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2024

The ancient Greeks told a story of a warrior named Achilles. His mother had been warned that he would die of a wound, so she dipped him as an infant in the river Styx. That was supposed to make him invincible. THERE WAS ONE PROBLEM -- she held him by one heel which the protective waters did not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-15

Tags: Evil, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Trials, Lust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Miracle Book

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

The Bible is referred to in many different ways. We speak of it as God's Word, the Good Book, the Holy Scriptures, and the Sword of the Spirit. It is also known as the Book of books and the Living Word. Some call it simply THE Book, for nothing else seems necessary. It stands alone, towering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Miracles, Inerrancy, Inspiration Of The Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational