In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Timothy 4 6 8 16 18"

An Epiphany On Generosity

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Jun 23, 2023

I recently drove my adult son to the airport for a trip he was taking with some friends. He lives in Arkansas but was flying out of DFW, so he drove to our home in Denison to spend a little time with us. While he was gone I drove his car a few times just to make sure it was running well. I guess ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7, James 1:17

Tags: Generous, Steward, Giving, Stewardship, Give, Generosity, Selflessness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Abraham Lincoln's Call To A National Day Of Prayer

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 17, 2023

I love how President Abraham Lincoln pointed out to Americans that our pride can cause our nation to suffer: “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Repentance, Nation, Fasting, Prayer, Revival  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Generosity

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Aug 17, 2024

There was once a wealthy woman who was known for her miserly ways. Each time she gave to the offering at church, she only dropped a few coins into the box. One night, she had a vivid dream. In her dream, she passed away and was taken up to heaven. As she arrived, she was amazed to see many grand ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Giving, Generosity

W.e. Vines Defines True Saving Faith

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

W E Vines defines genuine saving faith as consisting of the following: (1) A firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth - (2 Thess. 2:11 -"in order that they all may be judged who did not believe [pisteuo] the truth, but took pleasure in ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:11

Tags: Believing, Faith, Salvation, Truth, Assurance, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin Is Sin It Leads To Death No Matter How It Isillustrated.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 25, 2024

We the Church need to be aware of the danger there is from those who prophecy falsely, there is a great push within Christian circles to accept people's immorality in the name of God’s love, and grace. Sin remains sin, those of us who have repented of our sins know the release and joy that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41, 2 Corinthians 5:15

Tags: Grace, Acceptance, Salvation, Joy, Power, Redemption, Denial, Punishment, Repentence, Recrucifying Christ, Immorality, Danger, False Teachers, Release, Sanctification, Regeneration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

It's Time To Change The Diaper!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

One day shortly after the birth of their new baby, the mother had to go out to do some errands. So, the proud papa stayed home to watch his wonderful new son. Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry. The father did everything he could think of to do but the baby wouldn’t stop crying. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Salvation, Transformation, New Life, New Birth, New Creation, Changes, Trusting Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Regeneration

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

The change of regeneration is total and complete – at least is should be that way. Dr. Dale Sides calls it “re-gene-a-ration.” It like a whole a new DNA has been placed in every cell of your body. That’s how vast and powerful is the work ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:25-27

Tags: Regeneration, Dr Dale Sides

Denomination: Methodist

Opened Eyes

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

Thomas Watson, the great Puritan preacher, said: "Bless God, you his saints, that he has removed your spiritual cataract, and has enabled you to discern those things ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:31, 2 Corinthians 3:16

Tags: Understanding, New Birth, Regeneration, Enlightenment, Insight, Spirit's Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Putting Up Faith Or Fight When It’s Most Important

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on May 14, 2025

Over the decades of my life, I have learned there are some things in life worth fighting for and some not. We have to choose our battles and then fight with all our might those battles that really matter. Years ago, I attended the wedding of my niece, a beautiful blonde cowgirl. She married her ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-12, 2 Corinthians 10:4

Tags: Standing In Faith, Battles Worth Winning

Denomination: Charismatic

Maybe It’s The Food

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 2, 2025

There’s a story about a little girl who went to work with her father, the president of a large pet-food company. Sales were dropping. Executives filled the boardroom arguing about packaging—new fonts, brighter colors, bolder slogans. In the middle of their debate, the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Matthew 6:16-18

Tags: Authenticity, Fruitfulness

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Selective Memory

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 6, 2025

Three old friends are talking about memory loss. The first says, “Sometimes I go to the fridge and forget why I opened it.” The second says, “I forget what I’m doing in the middle of a task!” The third says, “Thank God I don’t have those ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5, 2 Peter 1:12

Tags: Humility, Remembrance

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Newton's Story

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 21, 2025

The story of John Newton and the hymn Amazing Grace. Newton’s hymn has grown so familiar to us that we sometimes forget the depth of the testimony behind it. Those lines were not crafted by a saint who lived an unblemished life. They were written by a man who walked through the same spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:12, Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Grace, Redemption

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Building Bridges

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 8, 2026

WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE, 1860 TO 1934. She wrote over 7,500 poems and 5,000 essays. Her works are recorded in 13 books. My Dad, Wade M. Hughes (1931) committed this poem to memory and would often use it when speaking to leaders. I love this poem. ***THE BRIDGE BUILDER AN OLD MAN, GOING DOWN A LONE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-12, Philippians 4:11-13

Tags: Bridge, Build

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Verbal Plenary Inspiration

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 15, 2026

Can we trust God’s Word as the truth? Can it be a light into the darkness we face? I want to briefly explain, again, what I believe about how we got the Bible. This is referred to as “Verbal Plenary Inspiration.” I believe the words of Holy Scripture were given to the men who wrote the original ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19-21, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Hope, Inspired Word Of God

Denomination: Methodist

Garbage In - Garbage Out

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 4, 2026

Do you remember this kid’s song? Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear, Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear. There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love, Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear. We teach this to children because we know that what goes in will come out. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3, Jude 1:1-4

Tags: Truth, Lies

Denomination: Methodist

Seeing What You Want To See

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

“People find what they want in the Bible. If one looks hard enough, he can find “biblical” support for reincarnation, Eastern religions, Jesus as a guru, divorce for any reason, and flying saucers. Every cult of Christianity uses the Bible to validate its claims, and so does some of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:4-10, Jude 1:5-7

Tags: False Teachers, Sodom, Sexual Immorality

Denomination: Methodist

Angels - Do You Believe?

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

Please raise your hand if you believe in angels. Thanks, put your hand down. Please raise your hand if you believe in demons. Thanks, put your hand down. If you raised your hand both times, you have a Biblical view of angels. Too many church members have a view of angels that contains New Age ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:10-16, Jude 1:8-11

Tags: Angels, Demons, Billy Graham

Denomination: Methodist

Walking In The Spirit

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 23, 2026

Their problem was this: if it hasn’t already happened, we don’t believe it is coming. Maybe they were all from Missouri – the “Show Me” state. Some folks have to see it to believe it. That’s not how faith in these promises works. Instead, we who believe are promised to see it. In these verses, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-4, Jude 1:18-19

Tags: Faith, Holy Spirit, Last Days, Walk In The Spirit

Denomination: Methodist

This Is An Alleged New Year’s Letter ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Fox on Dec 12, 2000

ILL: This is an alleged New Year’s letter written from a church member to the pastor. Dear Pastor: You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30, Mark 7:1-8

Tags: New Year's Day, Growth In Christ, Faith, Sandra

Denomination: Baptist

John & Margie Cooper Were Married In 1941. They ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Feb 22, 2005

John & Margie Cooper were married in 1941. They settled down on a farm with high hopes of becoming the nation’s largest onion growers. But 4 years later after Margie had given birth to 2 children, she fell victim to polio and spent the majority of her time years completely bedridden. Gone were all ...read more

Tags: Marriage, Marriage Commitment, Devotion, Vow

Denomination: Christian Church