In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Thessalonians 6:1-10"

Now Is The Appointed Time For Salvation

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 28, 2025

Dwight L. Moody once preached in Chicago and told people, “Go home and think about Christ.” That night, the Great Chicago Fire swept through, killing hundreds. Many never had another chance. From then on, Moody always pressed for immediate decision. QUOTE: Billy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Tags: Billy Graham, Hour Of Decision, Be Ready Now, Dwight L Moody, Don't Delay  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[104]. A Message From A Poem – God’s Attributes

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

[104]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD’S ATTRIBUTES Some people dispute the term Attributes of God. They say it can only be applied to statements such as God IS love. Others look at it in a wider sense taking in the qualities of the Godhead. In this poem, I took 4 words to make 4 stanzas ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Character Of God, Attributes Of God, Grace, Love, Mercy, Peace, Compassion, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Start Matters

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 19, 2024

I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was my sixth-grade field day when all the elementary schools gathered for a series of track and field events at the town’s high school track. It was a sunny New England spring morning and I was representing Glen Forest Elementary School in the 50-yard ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:8, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5

Tags: Prayer, Meditation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer And The Motorcycle  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 13, 2012

PRAYER AND THE MOTORCYCLE There was a woman at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication for her daughter. She returned to her car to find that she had locked the keys inside the car when ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, John 13:31-38, Proverbs 28:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Tags: Renewal, Alive, Rededication, Prayer Hardship

Denomination: *other

The Perfect Church

Contributed by David Parks on Sep 19, 2022

If you should find the perfect church Without one spot or sore For goodness sake! Don’t join that church! For it won’t be perfect anymore. If you should find the perfect church Where all anxieties cease. Then pass it by, lest you join it, And mar the masterpiece. But since no perfect church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:7, Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 13:1-10

Tags: Faith, Love, Church, Hope

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Each Child Is Different - I Learned That The Hard Way

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 13, 2023

God the Father Loves His Children ... and He is also quick to .... encourage His children. (Long Pause) I learned that ...as a parent ... the hard way. As a father ... you want the best for your children ... you want them to succeed. To succeed ... at everything they do. Kristin ... our first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Colossians 4:8, Proverbs 8:31, Proverbs 4:1

Tags: Example, Relationship, Fathers, Parent, Children, Father's Day, Encouragement, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Above Reproach

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

ABOVE REPROACH A friend told Plato of a terrible charge that had been leveled against the famous philosopher. Knowing it was not true, his friend said, "What are we going to do?" Plato replied, "We must simply live in such a way that all people will know it is false." Paul said that an elder is to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Tags: Action

When The Now-Famous Poet Elizabeth Barrett Became ...  PRO

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Oct 18, 2000

When the now-famous poet Elizabeth Barrett became the wife of Robert Browning, her parents disowned her because they disapproved of the marriage. Their daughter Elizabeth, however, wrote almost every week, telling them that she loved them and longed for a reconciliation. After 10 years, she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Mark 2:2-12

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Military Recruiters Showed Up To Address ...  PRO

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

Three military recruiters showed up to address high school seniors. Each recruiter - representing the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps - was to have fifteen minutes. The Army and Navy recruiters got carried away, so when it came time for the Marine to speak, he had just two minutes. He walked up and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-9, James 5:13, 2 Timothy 4:5

Tags: Discipleship, Commit, Commitment To Christ, Endurance

A Legend From India Tells About A Mouse That Was ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jan 28, 2002

A legend from India tells about a mouse that was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear…until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger-so, once again; the magician ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1, Genesis 1:1, 2 Samuel 1:1

Tags: Endurance, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Guys Remember The Cartoon With Wiley ...  PRO

Contributed by Ronnie Knight on Nov 24, 2006

Do you guys remember the cartoon with Wiley Coyote and Ralph the sheep dog. I use to love that cartoon. Every morning Ralph and Wiley would meet at the time clock which was mounted on a tree. As they clocked in they would great each other and then they would go to their respective departments. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-9, 2 Corinthians 9:15, Mark 3:7-35

Denomination: Baptist

Daniel The Actor In The Lion's Den  PRO

Contributed by George Rennau on Nov 5, 2004

There once was an out of work actor named Daniel He was so down and out that he’s ready to accept any acting part that came along. One day he saw an advertisement in the PAPER, ACTOR NEEDED TO PLAY A GORILLA. I could do that," Daniel arranged an interview. The employer turned out to be the local ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, 2 Samuel 6:1-23

Tags: Daniel

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Distorted Christianity

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 7, 2023

Q: What does the Church think of God the Father? A: He is omnipotent and holy. He created the world and imposed on mankind conditions impossible to fulfill; he is very angry if these are not carried out. He sometimes interferes in an arbitrary way with judgments and miracles, distributed with a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 2 Timothy 3:1-6

Tags: Distortion, Misconceptions, Ignorance, Slander, Dorothy Sayers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blue Marbles Reveal The Condition Of The Heart

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Mar 12, 2024

There was a young boy named John and his favorite past time was playing marbles. John was out in the playground one day when he saw Susie carrying a box of chocolates. Now John also loved to eat chocolates. So he thought for a while before saying to Susie: “Susie, if you give me your box of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:12, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Tags: Greed, Giving, Doubting God

Denomination: Baptist

[205]. A Message From A Poem – One Hair Here And One Hair There

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2025

[205]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ONE HAIR HERE AND ONE HAIR THERE Well, well, well! How many of us are bald? How many are heading that way? I remember when I was a kid my mother used to say to me, “Tell the barber to thin out your hair.” There used to be some sort of clippers that would do ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21, Luke 12:7, 2 Kings 2:23

Tags: Numbered, Glorious Bodies, Alopecia, Falling Out, Hair, New Bodies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You Give Without Enabling?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

How do you give biblically and with a Christ-like approach to needy people, yet not enable the person to become co-dependent on your giving heart? (1) Learn to distinguish between DIVINE appointments and drive-by-guiltings (Luke 10:33/ 1 Timothy 5:8/ Deuteronomy 15:11 and Galatians 6:10/ ...read more

Tags: Needs, Enabling, Wisdom, Discernment, Giving, Finances, Tithing, Good Samaritan, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Congo, Poor People Who Have Nothing To ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Gibson on May 18, 2001

In the Congo, poor people who have nothing to give when the Church offering is taken will dip their hand in the offering plate to symbolize the giving of themselves. There’s also a story of a little crippled girl with a crutch who came to church and saw everyone place their offerings in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Tags: Poverty, Money, Giving General

Denomination: *other

The Touch Of The Master's Hand  PRO

Contributed by Elliot Ross on Jun 5, 2001

The Touch of the Masters Hand. It was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while, To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. "What am I did for this old violin? You will start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar, who’ll make it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Kings 13:16, 1 Peter 5:7-8

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness General, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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