In Sermon Illustrations: "A Christian Story"

The Following Ad Once Appeared In A London ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Nov 12, 2001

The following ad once appeared in a London newspaper: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful." The ad was signed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer. Amazingly, the ad drew thousands of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62, Luke 9:23-24

Tags: Look Back, Fulfillment, Christian Disciplines, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Second Item Is From That Great Gospel Program, ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 2, 2001

My second item is from that great gospel program, "Hee Haw." Doc Campbell is confronted by a patient who says he broke his arm in two places. The doc replies, "Well then, stay out of them places!" He may have something there. We cannot regularly put ourselves in the face of temptation and not be ...read more

Tags: Temptation, Temptation Resisting, Christian Disciplines, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Wesleyan

Gladiator  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

GLADIATOR Rome was celebrating its temporary victory over Alaric the Goth in its usual manner, by watching gladiators fight to the death in the arena, when suddenly there was an interruption. A rudely clad robed figure boldly leaped down into the arena. Telemachus was one of the hermits who ...read more

Tags: Easter Good Friday, Christian Disciplines, Cross Agony

Oh Lord, Become The Master Of Our Passions, And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Oh Lord, become the master of our passions, and the creator of our ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, God Brings Purpose, Christian Disciplines

We Read Not That Christ Ever Exercised Force But ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

We read not that Christ ever exercised force but once; and that was to drive profane ones out of his Temple, not to ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian, Easter Palm Sunday, Lordship Of Christ

Make Yourself At Home  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Feb 20, 2002

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Becky Pippert, is a Christian author from Naperville, Illinois. While doing campus ministry she met a student named Bill on a college campus in Portland, Oregon. Bill was brilliant, and always looked like he was pondering something deep. He had messy hair, and the entire ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Christian Love, Promises Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Of All The Classical Spiritual Disciplines, ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Apr 8, 2002

Of all the classical Spiritual Disciplines, service is the most conductive to the growth of humility. When we set out on a consciously chosen course of action that accents the good of other and is for the most part a hidden work, a deep change occurs in our spirit. Nothing disciplines the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:6-7

Tags: Servanthood, Pride, Christian Disciplines, Call Of The Disciples, Arrogance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

An Old Sin, A New Word  PRO

Contributed by James Botts on Aug 29, 2002

AN OLD SIN, A NEW WORD Have you noticed that people are more and more angry then ever before? Consider the following… One anger management firm stated that “one out of every five Americans has an anger management problem.” According to FBI statistics, there were 23,305 homicides in 1994 and the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 22:24, Proverbs 29:11, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Anger, Rage, Murder, Sin, Violence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

My 4 Year Old Daughter Heard Me Talking About A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 20, 2002

My 4 year old daughter heard me talking about a national tragedy with my wife. I made the comment that there truly was evil in this world. My daughter suddenly perked up and said, "Daddy...Evil can only be replaced by good." Thrilled that my daughter had picked up such a profound idea and sure ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, God's Provision, Christian Love

Deciding To Jump  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 23, 2002

DECIDING TO JUMP A boy told his father, "Dad, if three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pool, and one frog decided to jump off into the pool, how many frogs would be left on the limb?" The dad replied, "Two." "No," the son replied. "There’s three frogs and one decides to jump, how ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Tags: New Year's Day, Giving Yourself, Christian Disciplines

Over 2,000 Years Ago A Young Greek Artist Named ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Over 2,000 years ago a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After several years the teacher’s efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite work of art. Unfortunately, he became so enraptured with the painting that he spent days gazing at it. One ...read more

Tags: Humility, Honor, Respect, Obedience, Service, Christian Disciplines  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Incredible Gift—communion Mediation  PRO

Contributed by Dawn Marie Turner on Apr 9, 2003

THE INCREDIBLE GIFT--COMMUNION MEDIATION Danny was born with no ears. He could hear all right, but he didn’t have ears like normal people. All his life, Danny endured ridicule and rejection because of his deformity. But he learned to live with it. Thankfully, he had loving parents and a strong ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Rejection, Promises Of God, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strike First, Strike Fast, Strike Hard

Contributed by Jeffrey Kellum on May 8, 2003

strike first, strike fast, strike hard - Illustration: For years many Karate schools taught this philosophy. In competition these opponents are the easiest to read. They become proficient at initiating a number of specific combinations that lead to quick victories. But there are inherent ...read more

Tags: Hope, Christian Disciplines, Conflict, Wisdom, Struggles, Victory  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Erma Bombeck – Wrote Something Called Rules…  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 10, 2003

Erma Bombeck – wrote something called rules… 1) Never have more children than you have car windows. 2) Never loan your car to someone to whom you have given birth. 3) Pick your friends carefully. A "friend" never goes on a diet when you are fat or tells you how lucky you are to have a husband who ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Relationships, Men And Women, Marriage, Law  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Once At A Meeting, Some Young People Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 26, 2003

Once at a meeting, some young people were discussing the text, “ye are the salt of the earth.” They were suggesting uses of salt, and the meaning. Salt gives flavor to food. It preserves food to keep it from decaying. Then one girl said, salt makes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:13

Tags: Growth In Christ, Basics Of Christianity, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Annie Howard  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Oct 28, 2004

Annie Howard In 1991 she was awarded one of President Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light” awards for her Prison Fellowship volunteer work in the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women. Holds choir practice in the prison chapel, has an evening Bible study, hosts a dinner for 6 volunteers ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Church's Role In Parenting

Contributed by Rodney Bowen on Feb 7, 2013

THE CHURCH'S ROLE IN PARENTING Recently reviewing the new book by Dr. Tim Kimmel title, CONNECTING CHURCH & HOME, I found my mind and heart really pierced with the current state of our in-church parenting. Churches and families need each other. And no, I am not referring to our family’s use of ...read more

Tags: Children, Family, Parenting, Christian Life, Family Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Culture's Collaborators  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 3, 2013

Tim Woodroof: We live in a world that has shaped our priorities, skewed our perspectives, and taught us what to value. Rather than permitting God to challenge those values--to confront and replace them--a great deal of energy is expended in the attempt to win God’s approval and support of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:14-15

Tags: Core Values, Detestable, Godly Values, Christian Values

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Selling Your Cow  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 31, 2014

Daniel Overdorf: One of my older sisters and her husband served for 12 years as missionaries to Haiti. Among various other ministries, such as church plants, a school and feeding programs, they discipled a few young men who today lead various churches and ministries. One participant in this was ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18

Tags: Help The Needy, Christian Giving, Sharing God's Bounty

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Urgent Message At Easter

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 4, 2015

EASTER FAMILY TIME (p) It is Easter time and a gathering opportunity for your whole family. Your family made a commitment to all get together this year at Easter to make sure you celebrated something this year as a family. Grandma chose Easter and chose to rent a few beach houses for everyone to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Evangelism, Sharing Christ, Christian Witness, Mission To Family

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ