In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Corinthians 5 20b 6 10"

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

Open Rebuke Is Better Than Secret Love.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

The Scripture tells us that "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:5-6).   Rebuke means sin is not only pointed out, it is condemned. The church really doesn’t do this ...read more

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

Tags: Sin, Preaching, Repentance, Rebuke, Pastors, The Word Of God, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Nobodies Of The Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 6, 2010

THE NOBODIES OF THE CHURCH Janet Reno, Attorney General of the United States during the Clinton administration, was interviewed on "60 Minutes" on June 26, 1999. She seems to hold this ancient opinion of Christians. Here is how she defined a cultist: "A cultist is one who has a strong belief in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Life Is War. That's Not All It Is. But It Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Adam Cruse on Jul 18, 2001

“Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Colossians 1:9-18

Tags: Demons, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist

A Young Girl Once Consulted With Her Minister. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Aug 4, 2003

1.A young girl once consulted with her minister. “I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only Christian in the factory where I work. I get nothing but taunts and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to resign.” “Will you tell me,” asked the minister, “where lights are placed?” “What ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Philippians 2:14-15, Ephesians 5:8-14

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Testimony, No Lord, Not Now, Light, Yes Lord, Deny, Depend, Decide, Despair, Grumbling, Holiness, Evangelism Fear Of  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Mennonite

Two Boys Grew Up Together. They Were Close ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Dec 29, 2006

Two boys grew up together. They were close friends as children, but as they entered their teen years their paths began to diverge and they ended up in very different places. Ernie was always in trouble. He began by shoplifting small things from stores and worked his way up to stealing cars. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

To Have Prayed Well Is To Have Studied Well." ...

Contributed by Paul Steffens on Dec 11, 2007

"To have prayed well is to have studied ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strange Inside And Out

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

STRANGE INSIDE AND OUT In May 2008, scientists finally completed analyzing the DNA of the platypus, a creature native to Australia that defies categorization under bird, reptile or mammal. The platypus is so odd that when the first specimens were sent to Europe in the 19th century, scientists ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-16, 1 Peter 2:11

Tags: God's Sovereign Will

Honesty Matters  PRO

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jul 6, 2009

HONESTY MATTERS I read about a high school golfer, Chelsee Richard, of Bloomingdale High School in Brandon, Florida. She lost her chance to win the 2004 state championship — by being honest. In the qualifier for the state finals, Chelsee hit her tee shot on the second hole into the rough. Without ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-14

Tags: Commandments Testimony

Denomination: Baptist

The Sermon On The Mount Quote By Oswald Chambers

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 25, 2018

The impossibly difficult instructions found in the sermon on the mount have often troubled me. When I think about loving enemies, turning the other cheek, giving to the poor, storing up treasures in heaven, etc... I often feel like there's NO WAY I can be successful in the correctives Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15, Matthew 4:23

Tags: Disciples, Jesus Christ, New Creation, Devotional, Sermon On The Mount, Love Your Enemies, Oswald Chambers, Sermon, My Utmost For His Highest  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Will You Be?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Where Will You Be? When the clouds burst open where will you be? Will there be joy in your heart when Jesus you see? Will you be running to hide from His face Or standing there with your head hanging in disgrace/ It surely is coming and the time is near at hand When Jesus comes to take his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:12

Tags: Death, Rapture, Great White Throne, Bema

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible Is Not About Science Or Philosophy

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Oct 8, 2022

The Bible has a single purpose. It was given to reveal the love of God as manifested in the divine provision of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is its aim, and sound interpretation must never lose sight of this aim. Consequently, it is a serious and misleading error to regard the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Tags: The Bible, Science, Love Of God, Philosophy, Exegesis, Inspiration, Interpretation, Human Authors, Hermeneutics  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grief: God's Answer To Overwhelming Grief

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

What follows is a true account, which I (Stephen) was fortunate enough to witness firsthand in the spring of 2015. My wife was an only child raised by a single mom, and as such was very close to her mother. Thus, when her mother died after 90 years my wife was severely grief stricken and would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Tags: Death, Prayer, Listen, Grief, Loved One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Outline - 7 Fears Of Death

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Seven fears related to death: 1) Fear of the process: But.....Jesus is with you. – Psalm 23:4 2) Fear of non-existence: But....You will be alive and well. – John 11:25-26 3) Fear of bodily decay: But....You will receive a new body. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Death, Easter, Christ, Family, Fear, Hope, Heaven, Reunion, Resurrection, New Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Five Facts About Valleys

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

God designs valleys for His sheep to grow and sometimes He has to "make us lie down" there to teach us how to trust Him. Here are 5 facts about valleys we need to remember: 1. Valleys are INEVITABLE. Jesus promised valleys would come in this world (John 16:33). 2. Valleys are UNPREDICTABLE. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4

Tags: Character, Tests, Trials, Valleys Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Most Important To You?

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Mar 27, 2018

Next to Billy Graham, Rick Warren and Joel Osteen are probably to most recognizable ministers in America. Warren is the author of the top selling hardcover book of all time, The Purpose Driven Life. It sold 30 million copies. Speaking about his "purpose driven" success, in 2005 Warren told U.S. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Tags: Evangelism, Priority

Denomination: Baptist

Discerning Prophecy

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 26, 2021

I was once in charge of a meeting where I was confronted with this situation. A lady gave forth a powerful and anointed utterance in an unknown tongue. We all waited for the interpretation. Quite soon a man began to give forth what he obviously wanted us to accept as the interpretation. It was, in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Tags: False Prophet, Deception, Discernment, Prophecy, Charismatic, Tongues  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

[063]. A Message From A Poem – Drumming And Humming Become Obese

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 18, 2025

[063]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DRUMMING AND HUMMING BECOME OBESE This poem is not my usual style and I need to explain. Imagine the beginnings of something that multiplies itself and grows louder and louder as it advances; then will take over because nothing can stop it . . . . except ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:2, Revelation 6:3-4, 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Tags: Humming, Drumming, Leaven, Wickedness, Delusion, Poetry, Poem, Advance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom's Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 6, 2011

MOM'S CHURCH Four scholars were arguing over Bible translations. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beauty, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism, the way it moves the reader from passage to passage with confident ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Tags: Mother's Day

The Deity Of Christ In Scripture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 6, 2022

While Jesus was and is a man, He was and is also God. What does the Bible say? • He is omnipresent – Matt, 18:20; Matt. 28:20 • He is omnipotent – Matt. 28:18; Heb. 1:3 1. Over disease – Matt. 4:23 2. Over Satan – Heb. 2:14 3. Over demons – Matt. 8:16 4. Over men – John 17:2 5. ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Deity Of Christ, Jesus, Two Natures, Virgin Birth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational