In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Corinthians 3:1-4:20"

[214]. A Message From A Poem - Paul’s Prison

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 28, 2025

[214]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PAUL’S PRISON This is my oldest surviving poem. I had parts of others but they are gone. The poem came about when thinking of Paul in prison in Rome. Everything seemed against him there, but he was never forsaken by God of course. When Paul was in prison he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:15, 2 Timothy 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:10, Philippians 1:23

Tags: Luke, Paul In Prison, Christian Poems, Devotion, Asia, Defection, Departure, Desertion, Demas  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Pay On Friday

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on May 24, 2020

I am often asked by those with whom I study: “How often is the often?” How often do believers in Christ take communion? The bible does not say: “every Sunday.” Where does it state: “every first day of the week?” I explain it this way. I share with them one of my job interviews, for a training ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Tags: Communion, Contribution, First Day Of The Week

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Truth Of The Book  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 23, 2012

THE TRUTH OF THE BOOK John Ortberg states "It’s a strange thing: the book has never been so accessible. According to Guinness Book of Records, L. Ron Hubbard’s writings of scientology have been translated into 65 languages; the Koran is supposed to be read in Arabic so it hasn’t been translated ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Training The Little Savage  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 30, 2001

TRAINING THE LITTLE SAVAGE Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it - his bottle, his mother’s attention, his playmate’s toy, his uncle’s watch. Deny him these once, and he seethes with rage and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:11

In The Early Days Of The Southern Confederacy, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

In the early days of the Southern Confederacy, General Robert E. Lee was severely criticized by General Whiting. It might have been expected that Lee would wait for a time when he could get even with Whiting. A day came when president Jefferson Davis asked General Lee to come for consultation. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:17-27

Tags: Christian Love, Christian Disciplines

Steve Brown Noted, "For Every Non-Christian Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Apr 22, 2002

Steve Brown noted, "For every non-Christian who has cancer, a Christian will have cancer, so the world will see the difference. And for every non-Christian who has a business failure, a Christian ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Human Body

Denomination: *other

Why Are Children Aborted? The Alan Guttmacher ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 6, 2002

Why are children aborted? The Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research arm of Planned Parenthood) states: • 1% are victims of incest or rape • 1% had fetal abnormalities • 4% had a doctor who said their health would worsen if they continued the pregnancy • 50% said they didn’t want to be a single ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:2-15

Imagine That We Are Putting Together A 1,000 ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 30, 2002

Imagine that we are putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle. In turn we each put pieces into place; slowly the beauty of the picture begins to take shape. As we continue putting the puzzle together we talk about what it would be like to be a part of the scene before us. As the final pieces are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Assembly Of God

You Gotta Have Faith  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 30, 2002

YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH "Maybe it’s time we reconsider what it means to be intelligent,” says David Brooks of the Weekly Standard. After being questioned about his experience and smarts for the job as President, George W. Bush has amazed us during these troubled times. Experts are confounded. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Tags: Faith General, Independence Day, Political Freedom

Power In The Cross-Communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 7, 2002

POWER IN THE CROSS-COMMUNION MEDITATION There is power in the cross. It's undeniable. Even unbelievers seem to squirm when considering its potential. David Brooks, of the Weekly Standard, reports "of the conniption being thrown by the American Atheist, the group founded by the late ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18

Tags: Cross Agony, Crucifixion, Lord's Supper

According To The Puritans, "All Professions Are ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2002

According to the Puritans, “all professions are spiritual to the Christian, not because of the nature of the work but because of the presence of God. …When a Christian – the temple of the Holy Spirit – walks into an office at IBM, IBM becomes a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Tags: Temple, Holy Spirit

A Businessman Well Known For His Ruthlessness ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Oct 26, 2002

A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top.” “I have a better idea,” replied Twain. “You could stay ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-27

Tags: Commandments General, Faith Vs. Works, Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Close With This Story, At First You May ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 31, 2002

Let me close with this story, at first you may not catch my point, but hang in there, when I land you will see a wonderful point. I had been teaching in Virginia, and I resigned my position and accepted a pastorate of a mission work in eastern Kentucky. The area was very poor, and the little church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Tags: Funerals Christian, Death

Denomination: Assembly Of God

He Was Healed  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 4, 2002

HE WAS HEALED Tony Campolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Campolo prayed boldly for the man’s healing. That next week he got a telephone call from the man’s wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer." Campolo ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus, Healing, God's Forgiveness, Gifts Healing, Cure  (view more)  (view less)

In Discipleship Journal, Carole Mayhall Tells Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 17, 2001

In Discipleship Journal, Carole Mayhall tells of a woman who went to a diet center to lose weight. The director took her to a full-length mirror. On it he outlined a figure and told her, "This is what I want you to be like at the end of the program." Days of intense dieting and exercise followed, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:27

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What To Do With Bad Gifts Source: Usa Today ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2002

WHAT TO DO WITH BAD GIFTS Source: USA Today 1999 What adults say they do with that not-quite-right holiday gift: Survey Says... 31%: Keep it 30%: Hide it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus

A Person Who Calls Himself Frank And Candid Can ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

A person who calls himself frank and candid can very easily find himself becoming tactless and cruel. A person who prides himself on being tactful can find eventually that he has become evasive and deceitful. A person with firm convictions can become pigheaded. A person who is inclined to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-12

Tags: Faith, Humility

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Man Went To An Asylum For The Criminally ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 10, 2003

A man went to an asylum for the criminally insane. He was a bit surprised to find that there were three guards to take care of a hundred inmates. He said to one of the guards, "Aren’t you afraid that the inmates will unite, overcome you, and escape?" The guard said, "Lunatics never unite." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-18

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servant' In Our English New Testament Usually ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Feb 14, 2003

“’Servant’ in our English New Testament usually represents the Greek doulos (bondslave). Sometimes it means diakonos (deacon or minister); this is strictly accurate, for doulos and diakonos are synonyms. Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his master’s purchased ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Baptist

Sherlock Holmes And Dr. Watson Go On A Camping ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 20, 2003

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replies, "I see millions of stars." "What does that tell you?" asks Holmes Watson ponders ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Bible Study, Bible Influence

Denomination: Anglican