In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Peter 3:1-4:1"

Twas Battered And Scarred, And The Auctioneer ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2001

’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile, "What am I bid, good folks," he cried "Who’ll start the bidding for me?" "1 dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two! Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:16

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

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Of Hitler's Bodyguards Was A Man Named Kurt ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 28, 2001

One of Hitler’s bodyguards was a man named Kurt Wagner. He adored Hitler and reverenced him as a god. At the end of the war, with Hitler a suicide in a Berlin bunker, Kurt’s faith was shattered and he planned a suicide. Going for a final cup of coffee, he picked up a discarded Gospel tract and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Grace, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Wesleyan

If You Want To Know What We Learned In 25 Words ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Apr 4, 2001

If you want to know what we learned in 25 words or less, giving is down because we don’t love God as much as we love a lot of other stuff. —Researcher ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Tags: Giving General, Money, Salt

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Father’s Two Daughters Were Begging Him ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Warren on Apr 19, 2001

A father’s two daughters were begging him for permission to see the latest movie, which happened to be rated "R," with their friends. When he denied their request, their pleading only intensified. "It’s only rated R because it has just a little bad language and just a few scenes that are bad," ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:38-41

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Holiness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Of My Favorite Columns By Erma Bombeck Tells ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 22, 2001

One of my favorite columns by Erma Bombeck tells of God in the act of creating mothers. She says that on the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime. And an angel said to Him, "Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one." The Lord turned & said, "Have you read ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:8-14

Tags: Communication General, Commitment, Hypocrite, Pride, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Larry Olsen Describes A Man Lost In The Desert: ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 12, 2005

Larry Olsen describes a man lost in the desert: “He has been out of food and water for days. His lips are swollen, his tongue is swollen, he’s all beat up and bloody. Some of his bones are almost peeking through. He has been scraped and beat up by the cactus, sand and sun. He’s blistered. As he’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

In 1858, Francis Ridley Havegal Visited Germany ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 12, 2005

In 1858, Francis Ridley Havegal visited Germany with her father, who was being treated for an eye problem. While in a pastor’s home, she saw a painting of the crucifixion with words under it that said:"I did this for thee. What has thou done for me?" Quickly she took a piece of paper and wrote a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Tags: Faith General, Repentance

Denomination: Baptist

We Have All Heard The "Good New!"..."Bad News!" ...

Contributed by Byron Maynard on Apr 9, 2005

We have all heard the "Good New!"..."Bad News!" aphorisms. Here’s one with a little different twist. I have some "Bad News!...Good News!...Best News!" for you... The bad news, you are dying! It’s no joke, biologist tell us that every day, to some extent, each of us are dying...The cells and atoms ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Wesley And A Preacher-Friend Of Plain Habits ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

John Wesley and a preacher-friend of plain habits were once invited to dinner where the host’s daughter, noted for her beauty, had been profoundly impressed by Wesley’s preaching. During a pause in the meal, Wesley’s friend took the young woman’s hand and called attention to the sparkling rings she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-16

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

A Man Had A Heart Attack And Was Rushed To The ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

A man had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He could receive little company and was to avoid excitement. While in the hospital a rich uncle died and left him a million dollars. His family wondered how to break the news to him with the least amount of excitement. It was decided to ask ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Tags: Gifts Giving

Denomination: Baptist

A Custom Of The Natives In New Guinea Is Told. At ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

A custom of the natives in New Guinea is told. At certain times they have rituals, songs, and dances. They work themselves up into a frenzy and the ritual culminates in what are called “the murder songs,” in which they shout before God the names of the people they wish to kill. When the natives ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Tags: Commitment To Christ, Repentance

Denomination: Baptist

H. L. Gee Somewhere Tells Of A Tramp Who Came ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

H. L. Gee somewhere tells of a tramp who came begging to a good woman’s door. She went to get something to give him and found that she had no change in the house. She went to him and said, “I have not a penny of small change. I need a loaf of bread. Here is a pound note. Go and buy the loaf and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-18

Tags: Faith, Giving General

Denomination: Baptist

In The Church There Is A Bond Of Family, Yet Room ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

In the church there is a bond of family, yet room for variety. The devil tries to disrupt unity. To chickens tied at the legs and thrown over a clothesline may be united, but they do not have unity. (Leslie ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Baptist

Motivational Speaker, Jim Mccormick, Is A Former ...  PRO

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on May 29, 2005

Motivational speaker, Jim McCormick, is a former corporate Chief Operating Officer, MBA, and holder of three skydiving World Records and member of a successful skydiving expedition to the North Pole. He observes: “Salespeople and managers who consistently perform at a higher level have certain ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Endurance, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Salvation Army

Without The Grace Of God  PRO

Contributed by Robbie Bankens on Aug 9, 2005

There is a need and a place for programs. If I told you that the programs did not help me, then I would be lying to you, because they did. But Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous could not keep me clean and sober alone! Without the Grace (the unmerited favor) of God, those programs ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Tags: Addiction

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bible Tells The Story Of Absalom. He Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 28, 2005

The Bible tells the story of Absalom. He was the son of King David — Israel’s greatest king. Through a series of circumstances, Absalom began to despise his father and made plans to become king in his father’s place. He surreptitiously sowed seeds of division and rebellion in his father’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Tags: Repentance, Salvation

Denomination: Methodist

Perhaps You Have Heard Of The Upcoming Movie The ...  PRO

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 14, 2005

Perhaps you have heard of the upcoming movie The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s a wonderful story written by CS Lewis, one of the sharpest Christian thinkers of the 20th century. The wardrobe mentioned in the title is a large walk-in closet in an old house owned by an old and quirky ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Denomination: Baptist

Game's Only Half Over! (10.04.05--Beginning ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 3, 2005

Game’s Only Half Over! (10.04.05--Beginning Again!--2 Samuel 12:20-24) Is there anyone who hasn’t felt the sting of regret and discovered just how bitter it is to live with the thought that if only we hadn’t done this or said that we’d be a whole lot happier at the moment? Beginning again is one ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:20-24

Tags: God's Provision, Regret, Remorse, God's Forgiveness, Face Your Fears, Embarrassment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Do We Sometimes Plough On With A Project ...  PRO

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Oct 12, 2005

Do we sometimes plough on with a project regardless, without any thought or concern for those people that the Lord has already given to us? It’s the Achilles heel of the evangelist, but Paul knows he cannot ignore the needs of his brothers and sisters who are already in Christ. Neither must we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Anglican

Two Years Before I Met My Wife, My Eventual Best ...

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Nov 12, 2005

Two years before I met my wife, my eventual best man Kevin set me up on a blind date. His girlfriend had a friend who was unattached and we all went off to the cinema together. I have to confess that I cannot remember the girl’s name but I can remember that when I got home that evening I was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Tags: Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Anglican