In Sermon Illustrations: "A Crown For Martyrs"

In Ancient Rome, Military Commanders Who Had ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In ancient Rome, military commanders who had been victorious in battle, killing at least 5,000 enemy troops, were honored publicly in a huge civil and religious ceremony called a Roman Triumph. The “triumphator,” as he was called, was paraded through the city ahead of his troops. In front of him ...read more

Tags: Humility

All Hail The Power

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 7, 2009

ALL HAIL THE POWER E. P Scott was a pioneer missionary to India who One day found himself surrounded by a murderous band of tribesmen. On impulse, he took out his violin and began to play and sing, "All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name." When he reached the stanza "let every kindred and every tribe" ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Jesus Never Fails

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 15, 2010

JESUS NEVER FAILS Isaiah 11:5, " Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist." My good friend Charlie died about 3 years ago; he was 89 years old, and we were like family. Charlie was interesting, open-minded, and a great conversationalist. One day I called him and ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

John Piper, The Preaching Pastor Of Bethlehem ...

Contributed by Jesse Roncales on Mar 27, 2010

John Piper, the preaching pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in reflection in Romans 8:16-17, says, “No pain, no gain. No cross, no crown. No ...read more

Tags: Suffering Joy In

Denomination: Assembly Of God

These Three Things Work, Will, Success Fill ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"These three things work, will, success fill human existence. Will opens the door to success, both brilliant and happy. Work passes these doors, and at the end ...read more

Tags: Workplace Success

It Is A Thing Never To Be Forgotten That In The ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 28, 2009

"It is a thing never to be forgotten that in the everyday duties of life, we make or mar a destiny, and we win or lose a crown." William Barclay, The Gospel of ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Orthodox

He Chose The Nails By Max Lucado (Dust Jacket)  PRO

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jan 15, 2003

He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado (Dust Jacket) Much has been said about the gift of the cross itself, but what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns? What about the garment taken? What about the garments given? Have you taken the time to open these gifts? He didn’t have ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ, Cross

Denomination: Mennonite

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choir, Unfaithfulness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Matthew

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2002

Matthew Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in ...read more

Tags: Disciples, Apostles General, People In The Gospel

Paul And Silas Prison - Chains Of Praise

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Aug 26, 2024

Paul and Silas in Prison I wonder what it was like in the prison cell. Chained up hands and feet. Behind bars. Waiting on God. Maybe for a moment there was silence. Processing. Maybe wondering whether or not they were going to be the next martyrs. Then Silas shuffles and the chains rattle. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-24

Tags: Praise, Chains

Denomination: Church Of God

There Was A Family With One Little Daughter. ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

There was a family with one little daughter. Mother and daughter were very faithful in church and Sunday School attendance…The father wasn’t interested and he made it plain it was okay for his wife and daughter, but not for him. He worked in a steel mill, a huge hulk of a man who had been a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:36-39, James 1:12

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am Reminded Of A Story I Heard Some Time Ago Of ...

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Aug 6, 2005

I am reminded of a story I heard some time ago of a missionary family who laboured in a certain field (Because it is an Islamic country I will not name it) for over 25 years they toiled for seemingly no fruit, then the whole family was martyred and that seemed to be that, But 70 years on in that ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Faith

Denomination: Pentecostal

St. Mark

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2002

St. Mark Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great ...read more

Tags: Disciples, People In The Gospel

Winners Or Losers?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 7, 2008

Winners or Losers? Let's go just a few years forward from Calvary. Another man in the prime of his youth, arrested for heresy by the Jews, a witness to Jesus, Stephen, the first deacon, was dragged out of the gates of Jerusalem and stoned, even as he forgave his murderers. The persecution that ...read more

Tags: Sacrifices

Denomination: Catholic

Coming Quietly

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 1, 2023

The Lord of all comes as a slave amidst poverty. Choosing for his birthplace an unknown village in a remote province, he is born of a poor maiden and accepts all that poverty implies. He chose surroundings that were poor and simple, so ordinary as to be almost unnoticed, so that people would know ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Christmas, Humility, Poverty, Incarnation

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Is A Wonderful Moment Near The End Of "The ...  PRO

Contributed by Warren Bird on Jan 18, 2004

There is a wonderful moment near the end of “The Return of the King” when the four hobbits are stunned that the newly crowned king of men, Aragorn, kneels to honour them. I take this as an illustration of the literal ...read more

Tags: God The Father, Worship Definition

Denomination: Independent/Bible

False Messiah—rev. Sun Myung Moon

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2012

FALSE MESSIAH—REV. SUN MYUNG MOON It amazes me how many religions are in stark opposition to Christianity; and they do not even have God as their leader. In fact, they are just empty philosophies being advanced by empty followers. While members of Congress looked on, Rev. Sun Myung Moon declared ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29

Tags: Antichrist

Perhaps Your List Would Be Something Like The One ...

Contributed by Michael Snow on Aug 13, 2008

Perhaps your list would be something like the one found in The Book of History, from an ancient Chinese religion. It has a list of the Five Happinesses which include: long life, riches, soundness of body and serenity of ...read more

Tags: Happiness

Denomination: Baptist

People" By Apologetix, That Christian Parody ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

"People" by Apologetix, That Christian Parody Band (www.AplogetiX.com) James was caught by Herod; Herod captured Peter. They were sharing Herod’s outbreak of attacks upon believers. James would have to face the sword and Peter would escape it. They were not afraid of dying; they both knew that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

The Father Wants Us To Be Filled Only With ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 8, 2001

“The Father wants us to be filled only with His Christ. Will you let Him deal so thoroughly in His love, until you are consumed with Him, having to continually depend upon Him, instead of anything of yourself? For God to take you deeper into Himself, He must expose all in you that is not of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:19

Tags: Discipleship, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational