In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Timothy 3 10 20"

I’m So Poor I Can’t Pay Attention

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 25, 2023

Occasionally I go to my computer and search for the wealthiest preachers in America. I am curious to know who came up with this idea, but I check it out occasionally to see who they are. As often as I have checked this information, I have never found my name on that list. I so much wanted to see ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Tags: Poor, Wealth, Rich

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Use Of Wine

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 22, 2018

An aged brother told me jokingly one time regarding the difference between the elders and deacon’s use of wine, in 1 Timothy 3:3. He said Brother Freeman: “It’s simple. The deacon can drink, ‘a little wine’; however, the elder can only sip it, swish it around in his mouth, and then spit it out.” He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4

Tags: Preacher, Drink, Deacon, Member, Wine, Elder  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Approved Workers

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

In II Timothy 2:14-20, the Apostle Paul gives five characteristics of those in the Body of Christ who are "approved workers". When believers stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be only two types of people there: workers who are approved and workers who are not approved. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-20

Tags: Rewards, Bema, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Approved Workers

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

Shrewd And Smart

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

3 Greeks and 3 Turks are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the 3 Turks each buy tickets and watch as the 3 Greeks buy only a single ticket. “How are 3 people going to travel on only one ticket?” asks one Turk. “Watch and you’ll see,” answers one Greek. They all board the train. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:9-16, Matthew 10:16

Tags: Shrewd, Dishonest, Smart, Cheating, Trick, Enemies, Tricky, Tricking, Humiliating  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Candy Cane  PRO

Contributed by Rob Ross on Dec 26, 2000

The CandyCane A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus, Joy, Rejoice

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Said That Cyrus, The Founder Of The Persian ...  PRO

Contributed by Brent Zastrow on Mar 16, 2001

It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, "What will you give me if I release you?" "The half of my wealth," was his reply. "And if I release your children?" "Everything I possess." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16-18

Tags: Living For God, Life, God's Will, Godly Living, Christian Disciplines  (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

A Minister Gave An Unusual Sermon One Day, Using ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Sep 21, 2001

A minister gave an unusual sermon one day, using a peanut to make several important points about the wisdom of God in nature. One of the members greeted him at the door and said, "Very ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:15-19

Tags: Church General, Bible Study

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hair Mission  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2002

HAIR MISSION In dire need of a beauty makeover, I went to my salon with a fashion magazine photo of a gorgeous, young, lustrous-haired model. I showed the stylist the trendy new cut I wanted and settled into the chair as he began humming a catchy tune and got to work on my thin, graying hair. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Missions

A Story… It Was Autumn, And The Indians On The ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 13, 2002

A story… It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky, he couldn’t tell what the weather was going to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12

Tags: Faith General, God's Omniscience, Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Leader Is A Person With A Magnet In His Heart ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

A leader is a person with a magnet in his heart and a compass in his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Never Thought Of That  PRO

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Jan 13, 2003

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT Ed Watt was visiting a local department store with his wife. They had just purchased a piece of luggage and a cooler. As Ed was waiting for his wife to finish the rest of her shopping he dragged the luggage and cooler around with him to the shoe department. A clerk asked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Tags: Peace, Emotions

Denomination: United Methodist

I Am Really Content...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

I AM REALLY CONTENT... I am really content — until I start looking through the Sears catalogue. I liked my car — until I saw the new P T Cruiser. I am satisfied with my clothes — until I stroll through American Eagle, or the other Mall stores. I love our home — until I think of what it would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-16

Tags: Peace, Thanksgiving Holiday

Brennan Manning Describes Christ As "The One ...

Contributed by Mike Quinn on Jan 18, 2006

Brennan Manning describes Christ as “The one whose glory appears as a light so brilliant that he is rendered invisible by his brilliance. It is beyond our ability to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:17

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Douglas Hyde Was A Major Leader In The Communist ...

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 31, 2006

Douglas Hyde was a major leader in the Communist Party in England during the 1930’s and 1940’s. However, in 1948 he converted to Christianity. Later he wrote a fascinating little book, Dedication and Leadership, in which he pointed out that the means of developing leaders among the communists were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-15

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Godliness

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prayer For Those In ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“Prayer for Those In Authority” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority… This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Can't Take It With ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 10, 2009

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU Ann Landers had an interesting letter in one of her columns. She wrote about a man who earned a very good living, but refused to spend the money on anything. When he was dying, he said to his wife, "I want you to promise me one thing. Promise me that when I’m dead you’ll ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:7

Tags: Stewardship

Simpson's Most Valuable ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 21, 2010

Simpson’s Most Valuable Discovery In the year 1847, a doctor from Edinburgh, Sir James Simpson, discovered that chloroform could be used as an anaesthetic to render people insensible to the pain of surgery. From his early experiments, Dr. Simpson made it possible for people to go through the most ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Tags: Salvation

Ruth Bell Graham Tells Childhood Story Of Son, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 30, 2010

Ruth Bell Graham Tells Childhood Story of son, Franklin with His Toy Gun Ruth Bell Graham tells this story about her son Franklin: Franklin was sleeping on the front porch with his cowboy boots and toy gun. We were having problems with some polecats (skunks), and Franklin told me not to worry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-19

Tags: Children