In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Samuel 1:1-40:1"

The Choice: Build Up Or Tear Down  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 11, 2009

THE CHOICE: BUILD UP OR TEAR DOWN Years ago I picked up a poem named "The Choice." I do not know where I got it nor the author, but it illustrates the importance of building others up. This poem raises the question of whether we will "tear down or build up." "I watched some men tearing a building ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Tags: Encouragement

Ashamed When It Counted The Most

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 18, 2019

Ashamed when it counted the most My two sisters, when they were somewhat younger, liked to play the piano and took lessons for some time. I like music, too, but not all the practicing that went along with it! We found out there was going to be a “recital” where all of the students in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 John 2:28

Tags: Christian Life, Shame, Rewards

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Closer Than I Thought!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 7, 2020

My wife and her parents used a certain brand of ketchup for many things over a long period of time. They hadn’t had any of it, though, in maybe 30 years or so. They believed this brand wasn’t available, locally, so they never got around to finding any more of it. Now, I grew up in a different part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: God's Will, Discovery, Sharing

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Interruptions?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 27, 2020

Like many of us, I love listening to good Bible teachers on the radio. Great men of the past and great men of the present have given a great deal of time to explain and comment on the Word of God. We are truly blessed because of their efforts. My prayer is the Lord rewards them greatly when we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:8, 1 Corinthians 3:14

Tags: Interruptions, Bible Teachers

Denomination: Baptist

They Took It Away!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 3, 2020

My parents used to operate a true “Mom and Pop” grocery store before I started school. I still remember some of the good times—and some of the bad times, too, unfortunately—from those days gone by. Some of the items they had for sale were plastic models. These were mostly Revell, Lindberg, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:18

Tags: The Will Of God, Take It Or Leave It

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Of God Who Spoke To Ahab, King Of Israel

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 25, 2020

The man of God who spoke to Ahab, king of Israel Text: 1 Kings 20:28 And there came a man of God (identity unknown), and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:28, 1 Kings 16:31

Tags: Ahab, Man Of God

Denomination: Baptist

Enticed By A False Prophet

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 26, 2021

Shortly after Jeanie and I were married, we were fresh out of Bible College and I was doing some teaching. The associate pastor of our church approached us in private with a very flattering word. He said that God had told him to gather an elite circle of you couples for him and his wife to mentor. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 John 2:27

Tags: Prophecy, False Prophets, Deception

Denomination: Charismatic

Missing The Point

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 2, 2021

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars: The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Tags: Interpretation, Conclusion, Misunderstanding, Error, Perspective, Failure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Super Bowl Mvp

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 14, 2022

When receiver Cooper Krupp was named MVP of the 2021 NFL Super Bowl fans may think an athlete would soak up the attention, inflate their ego and define their identity according to their on field accomplishments. But Kupp actually minimized the place of football and elevated the kingdom of God. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Tags: Gospel, Discipleship, Reward, Witness, Eternity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sin Changes You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 21, 2022

I heard a quote many years ago that I believe is from a movie I do not recommend called 8mm. (it is about human trafficking or some other awful thing). The quote is so true: If you dance with the devil, the devil dont change. The devil changes YOU. We can see this principle illustrated so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Peter 5:9

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Compromise

Denomination: Charismatic

The Angel Of Music

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 14, 2023

In Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera, a young chorus girl named Christine Daae receives voice training from a mysterious musician she calls the “Angel of Music.” Christine believes this is the angel her dying father had promised to send to complete her musical training. As ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:8, 1 John 4:4

Tags: Evil, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Armor Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Godliness

Contributed by Marc Heatherington on Aug 5, 2021

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness . . 2 Peter 1:5-6 The Greek word for godliness is sometimes translated as piety. Both words have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6, 1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 6:3, 1 Timothy 6:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Godliness, Perseverance

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For When Christ Comes

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jun 27, 2021

This two-part story can frame a message on heaven, hope or the resurrection. The 1989 Armenian earthquake needed only 4 minutes to flatten the nation and kill 30,000 people. Moments after the deadly tremor ceased, a father raced to an elementary school to save his son. When he arrived, he saw that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 1 Corinthians 15:17, 1 Corinthians 15:23, Romans 6:5-9

Tags: Resurrection, Heaven, Hope

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Evidence For The Resurrection Is Reliable And True

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

It was the middle of the 1800s and a man by the name of Simon Greenleaf was teaching a class on evidence of law at Harvard University. Greenleaf was considered by many to be the greatest expert on evidence of law the world has ever known. He had been praised for his knowledge and when it comes to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Matthew 28:1-10, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Reliability Of Truth, Jesus The Risen Savior, Easter, Resurrection, Evidence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Violinist, Niccolo Paganini Willed His ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 31, 2001

The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini’s lovely violin has today become worm-eaten ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:13

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Servanthood, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

Guys, You'd Better Understand This. There's A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 1, 2001

Guys, you’d better understand this. There’s a points system at work and the ladies are keeping score. Here’s a small sample just for your information: Duties You make the bed +1 You make the bed, but forget to add the decorative pillows -1 You throw the bed spread over the rumpled sheets ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7

Water Baptism  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Jun 7, 2001

Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way: In the early days of the church. . . , baptism was a declaration that the believer was definitely identifying himself with that group of people who were called Christians and were despised and hated. To be a Christian meant something. To identify yourself with those ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Tags: Baptism, Bridge, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Forgive And Forget. Easier Said Than Done, Right? ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 13, 2001

Forgive and forget. Easier said than done, right? Well, now studies are showing forgiveness is not only good theology, but good medicine as sell. According to the latest medical and psychological research, forgiving is good for our souls-and our bodies. People who forgive: benefit from better ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Tags: Fulfillment, Anger, Anxiety

Are Fathers Necessary?, Citation: Charles ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jun 15, 2001

[Are Fathers Necessary?, Citation: Charles Colson, How Now Shall We Live (Tyndale, 1999)] In How Now Shall We Live, Chuck Colson notes the disturbing realities that plague children who grow up without a father: Children in single-parent families are five times more likely to be poor, and half the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:12-14

Tags: God With Us, Father's Day, Family, Divorce

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jerome, The Church Historian, Relates Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 25, 2001

Jerome, the Church historian, relates of the Apostle John that, when he became old he used to go among the churches and assemblies, everywhere repeating the words, “Little children, love one another.” His disciples, wearied by the constant repetition, asked him why he always said this. “Because,” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-26

Tags: Christian Love, Constant, Jesus Teachings, Love Of The Disciples, Repetition  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ