In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Corinthians 9:19-34"

Unintended Hero

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

A rich millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his 50th birthday, so during this party he grabs the microphone and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it. 'I will give anything they desire of mine, to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Judges 4:8, Judges 6:11-39, 1 Samuel 10:22, Exodus 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Unlikely, Heroes, Cowards, Hesitancy, Fear, Weakness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[105]. A Message From A Poem – Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

[105]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN This is a one off for me in this particular style. I had in mind to write a song and got this far. The lyrics are not a problem, just the tunes. This poem would be a song for more than one singer as I see the parts in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-7, 1 Timothy 6:11, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Tags: Christian Poems, Godliness, Contentment, Gain, Materialism, Difficulty, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[188]. A Message From A Poem – My Jesus Is My Mighty Rock

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 6, 2025

[188]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY JESUS IS MY MIGHTY ROCK In the Old Testament the “ROCK” featured a lot. The first incident was when Moses struck the Rock at the Lord’s command {{Exodus 17:5-6 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:8, Psalm 31:2-3, Psalm 18:1-2, Exodus 17:5-6, 1 Corinthians 10:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Moses Struck The Rock, Rock, Security, Rock Of Offense, Mighty Fortress, Mighty Rock, Christian Poems, Jesus, Moses, Safety, Salvation, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blue Marbles Reveal The Condition Of The Heart

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Mar 12, 2024

There was a young boy named John and his favorite past time was playing marbles. John was out in the playground one day when he saw Susie carrying a box of chocolates. Now John also loved to eat chocolates. So he thought for a while before saying to Susie: “Susie, if you give me your box of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:12, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Tags: Greed, Giving, Doubting God

Denomination: Baptist

One Of The Characters In The Movie, Toy Story, Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Apr 30, 2001

One of the characters in the movie, Toy Story, is Buzz Lightyear, a new toy to Andy’s room. Buzz is an astronaut, with a lot of neat things attached to him. Buzz comes into the other toys’ lives thinking that there are no other Buzz Lightyears around. He is the only one. Woody, a cowboy toy, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, God's Provision, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Church Of God

L. Kraft, Head Of The Kraft Cheese Corp., Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

L. Kraft, head of the Kraft Cheese Corp., who had given approximately 25% of his enormous income to Christian causes for many years, said, “The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Baptist

And When On A Dark Friday Afternoon This ...  PRO

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Nov 3, 2002

And when on a dark Friday afternoon this Innocent’s [Jesus] body was placed in a grave, his friends thought that they were seeing the last of Him. No thought of a river carrying life-giving water crossed their mind. He was wrapped in his burial shroud, placed in a borrowed tomb, and a large rock ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:6

Tags: Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Denomination: Lutheran

Fair Exchanges  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 16, 2003

[Fair Exchanges] The husband’s idea of a gift exchange: His gift is a new set of golf clubs. Her gift is a new pair of dishwashing gloves. The wife’s idea of a gift exchange: His gift is a new snow shovel. Her gift is a new coat. The child’s idea of a gift exchange: The child ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 3:1-11

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dwight Moody: Ready To Go  PRO

Contributed by Kent Wise on Nov 2, 2012

DWIGHT MOODY: READY TO GO Dwight Moody was traveling by boat on one of the Great Lakes when a really bad storm developed. The other passengers on the boat cowered in fear. They even started an impromptu prayer meeting asking God to deliver them from the storm. Moody didn't join in this prayer ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-6, 2 Corinthians 5:11-19

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Methodist

Confidence

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 12, 2015

2 Corinthians 5:6 says "Therefore we are always confident." Confidence is something that comes from believing. Success or failure is often a result of either our confidence or lack thereof. The Apostle Paul was a person of confidence. He wasn’t always right, but he was sure about his experience ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6, 2 Corinthians 6:1

Tags: Teamwork, Confidence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Was A Shoofly Pie Moment

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 5, 2020

During holiday seasons, I enjoy indulging in special food. My favorite during this time of year is the Shoofly Pie. Nothing hits the spot quite like this. Although the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage restricts this kind of culinary activity during the rest of the year, I tried to get a pass ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17

Tags: Politician, Holiday, Shoofly

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

An Elderly Christian Lady, Who Was Crippled With ...  PRO

Contributed by Ross Mitchell on Jan 30, 2001

An elderly Christian lady, who was crippled with arthritis, used to hobble to the services of the church on crutches. It was a great ordeal and required of her a considerable amount of toil and pain. A friend of hers observed her regular and faithful attendance and asked, "How do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:26, Proverbs 29:18, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Tags: Heart, Endurance, Vision

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Theologian Charles Hodge Explained The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

Theologian Charles Hodge explained the relationship between divine grace and the human heart. “The doctrines of grace humble a man without ...read more

Scripture: John 1:16-17, Romans 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 2:21

Tags: Humility, Hope, Grace, Pride, Slave To Sin  (view more)  (view less)

: "When Blind Eyes Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 9, 2001

Illus.: “When Blind Eyes Were Opened” D.L. Moody, the famed evangelist, told this story at one of his meetings: One evening just before Christmas, a man was walking through the streets of an Eastern city. The store windows were all beautifully decorated, and he observed three little girls ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52, Job 42:1-6, 1 Corinthians 1:9-16, Isaiah 9:2-7

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Apologetics General, Blind, Evangelism, Holy Spirit Attributes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Wesleyan

Christianstein  PRO

Contributed by Ray Navarro on Dec 7, 2001

It was a dark and stormy night. You could hear the thunder in the distance. Bats flapped their wings in the darkness of the night. There the castle stood. The wolves were howling; the trees were swaying in the wind as it whistled. And inside the castle, a faint light shown…from a ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-9, James 5:7-9, Luke 9:28-62, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: Family, Misconceptions, Patience, Restore, Inclusive, Jesus Teachings, Joy, Tithe, Welcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

A Group Of Christians Gathered In A Church ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Dec 14, 2006

A group of Christians gathered in a church auditorium for an evening Bible Study. Some were talking while waiting for the study to begin. One man began to share with the leader about a church breakfast he’d attended. A well known Bible scholar had been invited to speak at the breakfast. During ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 16:13-15

Tags: Wisdom, Tongue

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Become Deceived By The World With The Top ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 20, 2004

Do not become deceived by the world with the Top Down Attitude management style in your leadership instead be servant leaders. a. Use the leadership style that Jesus role modeled. i. Finzel states, “When it comes to servant leadership there is no better model than that of Jesus Christ. On the night ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, 1 Peter 5:1-4, 2 Corinthians 1:23-24

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Is In A Crisis Of Confusion Concerning ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 25, 2008

The world is in a crisis of confusion concerning the character and the nature of God. Just as paganism and polytheism tainted the ancient Near Eastern world, our society is influenced by corrupted views of God. The names have changed, but the false gods they represented have not. Instead of Baal, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, 2 Peter 2:1-22

Tags: Polytheism, Truth, Leadership, Culture, Influence, Idolatry, False Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not My Job  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

NOT MY JOB The names in this story have been changed out of respect for their privacy. Julie W told her family's story in a magazine article. [My daughter], Allison, came home for the weekend. She opened the door, didn't speak, and dropped her duffel bag. Smudges of mascara circled her eyes. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 15:20, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Tags: Addiction

Hannah And Michael: Finding What Was Lost  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 1, 2011

HANNAH AND MICHAEL: FINDING WHAT WAS LOST Let me tell you what happened to Ted Forbes back in 1984. While walking down a street in Chicago...Ted found a wallet. Being an honest Christian man he wanted to return it to its owner. So he opened it to look for identification. The wallet contained just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10, Luke 15:11-32, 1 Corinthians 13:8, John 17:1-26

Tags: Love, Parable Lost Coin