In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Corinthians 9:24-27:27"

Humanism

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2020

"During the construction of Emerson Hall at Harvard University, president Charles Eliot invited psychologist and philosopher William James to suggest a suitable inscription for the stone lintel over the doors of the philosophy department. After some reflection, James sent Eliot a line from ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Jude 1:25, Ephesians 3:21, 2 Corinthians 10:17, Romans 16:27, Psalm 8:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Glory, Man, Humanism, Boast, Glorifying, God, Doxology, Perspective, Pride, Worldview, Orientation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Before It's Too Late—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 6, 2002

BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE--COMMUNION MEDITATION 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 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2, Acts 2:37-40

Tags: Bread, Blood Of Christ, Becoming A Christian, Adjustment, Cup, Communion, Repentance, Sacrifice, Wine, Lord's Supper  (view more)  (view less)

"No Daddy, Just One More...please!"  PRO

Contributed by John Mcphail on Oct 12, 2010

"JUST ONE MORE, DADDY! PLEASE!" Children have a simple way of teaching the profound things of God. The moment my twin girls were born I knew two things immediately: 1) My life was going to be a whole lot more busy and 2) God had something very precious to share with me. When ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2, John 3:16

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, Call To Salvation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Be Cheap With The Seed

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

DON’T BE CHEAP WITH THE SEED In Canada, a believer operated a large grain farm. His spread included some twenty-five hundred acres. When asked how he planted the seed, he reached in a bin and pulled out an ear of corn. Then he proceeded to pop out the kernels one by one as he walked along, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8, Isaiah 6:1-13

Tags: Evangelism How To

Reconciliation: Chancing One's Arm  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2009

RECONCILIATION: CHANCING ONE’S ARM A. The oldest Christian site in Ireland is said to be St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. (Slide Of St Patrick’s) 1. It is a beautiful edifice, but it also has a interesting piece of history involving one of its doors– it is known as the "Door of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Genesis 33:1-11

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

When The Now-Famous Poet Elizabeth Barrett Became ...  PRO

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Oct 18, 2000

When the now-famous poet Elizabeth Barrett became the wife of Robert Browning, her parents disowned her because they disapproved of the marriage. Their daughter Elizabeth, however, wrote almost every week, telling them that she loved them and longed for a reconciliation. After 10 years, she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Mark 2:2-12

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Submission?

Contributed by Tim Chinn on Apr 4, 2011

SUBMISSION? A poll was taken a few years ago asking, both men and women this question, “Should wives submit to their husbands?” (In 1998, the Southern Baptists also sparked controversy with their statement that wives should "submit graciously" to the "servant leadership" of their husbands. At that ...read more

Tags: Wife

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Receive The Lord's Righteousness - A Terrific Trade

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 29, 2025

This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:5-6, where he tells us to trust in the Lord. David said, "Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday." *How is the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Horrible Times, Shelter, God's Peace, Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares, Evil, Trust, Suffering, Trusting God, Righteousness, Rejoice, Pain, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Touch Of The Master's Hand  PRO

Contributed by Elliot Ross on Jun 5, 2001

The Touch of the Masters Hand. It was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while, To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. "What am I did for this old violin? You will start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar, who’ll make it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Kings 13:16, 1 Peter 5:7-8

Tags: Forgiveness General, God's Forgiveness, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lady Of Society Was Gazing Upon An Image She ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Milton on Sep 25, 2001

A lady of society was gazing upon an image she had never seen before in the city’s art museum. "My dear fellow," she said condescendingly to the Curator, "I have never seen this painting before. I find the image shallow and rather crude in appearance. What do you call this?" The curator answered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Peter 1:3-11

Tags: Bible Influence, Disciplines Scripture

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Works In Three's (Foundations Of Grace) ...  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Yandris on Mar 8, 2003

GOD WORKS IN THREE’S (foundations of grace) death, burial, resurrection; (the kingdom of God) righteousness, peace, Holy Ghost ;( the greatness of God) was, is, is to come ;( three manifestations of God) Father, Son, Holy Ghost ;( in him we) live, move, have our being ;( now abideth these) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13, Mark 9:31, Revelation 4:8, Acts 17:28, Genesis 18:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Pentecostal

On Their 50th Wedding Anniversary, A Couple ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Decker on May 23, 2004

On their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple summed up the reason for their long and happy marriage. The husband said, "I have tried never to be selfish. After all, there is no ’I’ in the word ‘marriage.’” The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:23-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:7-8, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 11:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Marriage General, Marriage, Oneness, Marriage Commitment, Faithfulness, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Wrong Target

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 31, 2021

Emmons loses gold medal after aiming at wrong target! 2004 Washington Post: Matt Emmons of the United States shoots at wrong target, finishes eighth. (Douglas C. Pizac -- AP) Matthew Emmons is an elite athlete ! He was an accounting major from Browns Mill, New Jersey. He was a four-year ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:26-30, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 12:1-3

Tags: Purpose, Priorities, Idolatry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preaching, Power And Persecution

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 20, 2022

John Hus: 1369-1415 John Hus of Prague was burned at the stake at age 46. His crime was an uncompromising preaching of the gospel and calling for church reform in pre-reformation Europe. His Sunday pulpit was the Bethlehem Chapel adjacent to the University of Prague. Czech nobles had built the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:1-4, Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 1:1-10

Tags: Persecution, Gospel, Power, Preaching, Renewal, Culture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[008] Message From A Poem - A Tale Of The Fish’s Tails

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

[008] MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A TALE OF THE FISH’S TAILS “Take the line of least resistance; go with the flow; jellyfish that drift; leave me out of it; I see both sides; don’t involve me; I don’t want to know!” The world is full of compromise and it gets worse. We can expect no less from this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Compromise, Resist, Fish, Stand Firm, Fish Tails, Opposing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[084]. A Message From A Poem – For Men - The Three "fs"

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 16, 2025

[084]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR MEN - THE THREE Fs There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the third one in the first set - FOR ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:14, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Friendliness, Fellowship, Faithfulness, Poetry, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[162]. A Message From A Poem – Jewels Of God’s Reflected Beauty

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 12, 2025

[162]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JEWELS OF GOD’S REFLECTED BEAUTY This was a difficult poem to write trying to get it right the way I wanted. It is probably an unusual subject anyway. By jewels, I mean literal jewels. I love gemstones though I have none. Can’t afford them, but my God has so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:18-21, Revelation 21:16-17, Revelation 21:10-11, Revelation 21:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: The New Jerusalem, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Gemstones, Home Of The Bride, Precious Gems, Gold, Pearl, Gems, Colors, Pearls, The Holy City, Color  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[192]. Message From A Poem – No Contradiction Found Here

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 8, 2025

[192]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NO CONTRADICTION FOUND HERE I am not sure if I should explain each of these or let you work them out for yourselves. I was going to explain what seems to be contradictions, then I changed my mind. I will decide on that tomorrow! Well, I have decided to let you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10, John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:3, Titus 2:13

Tags: Christian Poems, Born Again, The Blessed Hope, Paradoxes, Contradictions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cookie-Jar

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 7, 2025

A pastor was teaching the Ten Commandments to a group of children. When he came to “Thou shalt not steal,” he leaned forward and said, “Now, children, what would the cookie jar say to you if it could talk?” A little girl lifted her hand and said, “It would say, ‘Suffer the little children to come ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:7, Romans 7:19, Galatians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Temptation, Desire, Choice, Grace, Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Donkey That Spoke

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 24, 2025

My name? Oh, I’m Sassy—the braying donkey. Not the fastest, not the strongest… and definitely not the prettiest. But I’ve got a good heart — and a loud voice! (pause) Most days I carry my master, Balaam. He’s a prophet—important and proud. I don’t mind. I’m used to carrying heavy loads. But one ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:28-31, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 16:9, John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 1:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Obedience, Faithfulness, Courage, Voice, Listening  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist