In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Samuel 9 3a6 13"

Market Shift: Zondervan General-Market Revenues ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2006

Market Shift: Zondervan General-Market revenues grew from 1.5% for the company to 17.7% between ‘93 and ’03, while the CBA channel’s share fell from 72.9% to 52.1% over the same period. ABA sales grew from 4.5% to 9.1% during the same decade. One national chain told Zondervan it has conducted a ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

In The News Last Week Was The Story Of The Rescue ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 31, 2002

In the news last week was the story of the rescue of the 9 miners from the PA coal mine. A large part of their survival was their encouragement of one another. One of the miners said, “We decided we were all going to live together or die together.” Your words of encourgament are like the leaven ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Methodist

Did You Know That Some Of The Best Business ...  PRO

Contributed by Joe Fornear on Sep 2, 2004

-Did you know that some of the best business minds in the country are working really hard to get you and your sons hooked on pornography. Some have called it - The Mainstreaming of Pornography – 60 Minutes did a story on this last Sunday night. Consider these facts: *Sales of sexual films in hotel ...read more

Tags: Temptation Sex, Pornography

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Encarta Encyclopedia Defines Aging As The ...  PRO

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

The Encarta Encyclopedia defines aging as the “irreversible biological changes that occur in all living things with the passage of time, eventually resulting in death.” In developed nations, life expectancy has increased more in the 20th century than it has in all of recorded history. A person ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Pentecostal

Here's An Illustration Of Delighting In A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Here’s an illustration of delighting in a weakness: Charlie Boswell was blinded during World War 2. But he didn’t allow his blindness to stop him from playing sports. In fact he went on to become the 13 time USA Blind Golf Champion In 1958 Charlie was presented with the Ben Hogan award. Hogan, of ...read more

Tags: Humility

The Powerhouse  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

The Powerhouse Stephen Kuusisto grew up feeling a stigma about being legally blind. For him, sight consisted of a kaleidoscope of shapes, colors, and shadows. Privately he would press his face close to the page of a book and memorize street names in an exhausting attempt to appear more able to see ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

In The World Of Sports, When An Underdog Is ...

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 13, 2009

In the world of sports, when an underdog is victorious it’s known as an upset. Here is a list of 5 of sport’s biggest upsets. 1) 1980 Olympics-Lake Placid: USA defeats Russia in hockey 4-3. Ragtag group of Americans defeats the Russian team that had dominated the sport for 15 years. 2) 1990 ...read more

Tags: Sports

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Out-Of-Whack Priorities

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

OUT-OF-WHACK PRIORITIES USA Today ran an article on October 25th, 1995 that is a great illustration about priorities. It reads... "Ronald Warwick, captain of the luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II, questioned a passenger who paid full fare for his dog to join them on an around-the-world ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Tags: Worldliness

[203]. A Message From A Poem - On The Eve Of Trial

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2025

[203]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ON THE EVE OF TRIAL This poem was written at the airport when I had to go away for a very unjust hearing before a wicked, unjust Commissioner/Judge, and the whole setup was so evil. If you ever feel the dragon’s breath then you will know what I mean. I don’t wish ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 16:33

Tags: Unjust, Trials, Trepidation, Peace, Overcome, Tribulation, Control, Trial, Injustice, World, Fear, Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[006]. A Message From A Poem - A New Creation - From Death Unto Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 29, 2024

[006]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A NEW CREATION - FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE This is an unusual poem that may not appeal to everyone, but it is based on emotions experienced by many who don’t know Jesus in their lives. The first, third and fifth stanzas are the viewpoint of one suffering in his/her ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:20, Ecclesiastes 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Solution, No Hope, No Satisfaction, Salvation, Miserable  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas 83% Of Americans Say Displays Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2008

Christmas 83% of Americans say displays of Christmas symbols such as nativity scenes and Christmas trees should be allowed on government property as long as they are part of a display that includes symbols ...read more

Max Lucado States, "God Is Holy. Every Decision, ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 28, 2009

Max Lucado states, "God is holy. Every decision, exact. Each word, appropriate. Never out-of-bounds or out of place. Not even tempted to make a ...read more

Tags: God's Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That Poor Young Boy!", Thought The Older ...  PRO

Contributed by Joshua Moran on Jan 31, 2005

"That poor young boy!", thought the older gentleman. The sanctuary was somewhat inactive as music was playing quietly, and the building seemed to be sheltering the people from the bitter cold of a New England winter. A young boy had just walked in with only a tattered sweatshirt, dirty jeans, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Tags: Giving General, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unsung Heroes: The Devout Men Who Buried Stephen

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 25, 2021

Text, Acts 8:1-2, KJV: 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-2

Tags: Martyrdom, Stephen, Devout Men

Denomination: Baptist

David's Demons

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Nov 16, 2010

DAVID'S DEMONS Many years ago I worked in an organisation called SCILS - Sunshine Coast Independent Living Skills. We worked with people who had mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. David (not his real name) was helped to find a place to rent in the community. He had been in danger of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:43-45

Tags: Demons

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devil's Beatitudes  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Apr 3, 2007

THE DEVIL'S BEATITUDES 1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend even an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. 2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them. 3. Blessed are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, John 16:33, 1 John 4:4

Tags: Satan, Church Small Groups, Beatitudes, Devil, Discouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

As We Conclude – Today I Want You To Imagine That ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 19, 2002

AS WE CONCLUDE – today I want you to imagine that your life is over… and you are led to a room.. there are 2 chairs in the room, one is for you and one for God and there is a DVD player. God pops in the DVD. It has your name on it – it says “Steve Malone – What Might have Been” IMAGINE – ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Gifts General, Good News, Death Nearness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Hearing Test  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 3, 2002

A HEARING TEST Here’s a test to see if you listen well… 1. A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired. 2. What’s the definition of a will? (It’s a dead giveaway). 3. In democracy it’s your vote that counts. In feudalism it’s your count that votes. 4. A chicken crossing the road ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Evangelical Free

This Week I Came Across This Tongue Firmly ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

This week I came across this tongue firmly implanted in cheek article titled “Pastor Quits Sports”. Here is why this pastor quit going to sporting events: 1. Every time I went they asked me for money. 2. The people with whom I had to sit didn’t seem very friendly. 3. The seats were too hard and ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

What’s Giving Thanks All ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

What’s giving Thanks all about A. The pilgrims did it 1. In 1621, the pilgrims celebrated the first harvest at Plymouth 2. To them, it was a religious holiday celebrating all that God gave them The Pilgrim Proclamation of 1623 Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday