In Sermon Illustrations: "Acknowledging God"

It's Got Hold On Me !

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 13, 2019

Can you see him running, he is running with all his might. Look at the beads of sweat popping out on his forehead. Each step that he takes is labored; he is exhausted from the struggle. Can you see the fear in his eyes as he looks back over his shoulder? Something’s got a hold on him and won’t let ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-21

Tags: Deception, Temptation

Denomination: Pentecostal

Temptation

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

TEMPTATION Can you see him running, he is running with all his might? Look at the beads of sweat popping out on his forehead. Each step that he takes is labored; he is exhausted from the struggle. Can you see the fear in his eyes as he looks back over his shoulder? Something’s got a hold on him and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Tags: Sin, Temptation

Denomination: Pentecostal

Homosexuality In First Century Greek Culture

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 24, 2019

Craig Keener writes, “Greek men were commonly bisexual; not only was homosexual behavior approved…but elements of the culture socialized boys in this direction. Men and women were segregated growing up, and male bonds became close. Apparently due to a deficiency in the number of women (which many ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-32

Tags: Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Gender, Bisexuality  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Will You Face Death?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 13, 2019

Voltaire, one of history’s best known atheists, often stated that “by the time I’m buried, the Bible will be non--existent.” His last words were: “I am abandoned by God and man; I shall die and go to hell alone.” His condition had become so terrible that his associates were afraid to approach ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Atheists

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Room In The Inn

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 20, 2020

People have no room for Christ because they are full of themselves, full of their own will, full of their own cares, and full of their own sinfulness. They feel they have no time or no need for the Lord. People may deny Christ and scorn Him. Yet, every time they write the date of the year, they are ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Messiah, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Mary And Joseph

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Billy Graham On Hell

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 19, 2022

BILLY GRAHAM ON HELL: "It isn’t fashionable today to talk about Hell—but the Bible is clear: God created us with a soul that will live forever and when we die, we will continue to exist—either in the place the Bible calls Heaven or in the place it calls Hell. Hell, the Bible says, is ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Hell, Death, Sin, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Truth, Judgment, Invitation, Billy Graham  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inspect Versus Expect

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

There was a young boy who was notorious for cleaning according to what his parents would inspect, but not necessarily what they would expect. In other words, he would do things like fold and put away the dirty laundry, and put away the dirty dishes thinking they were clean. Things looked tidy on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Expectations, Cover Up

Denomination: Baptist

Types Of Preaching Found In The New Testament

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

Thomas Constable points out that there are 6 different kinds of preaching described in the New Testament: (1) kerugma, which means proclamation of the clear facts of the Christian message. (2) didache or teaching. This was explanation and interpretation of the facts-the "so what?" (3) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Tags: Church, Teaching, Preaching, Pastors, Homiletics, Teachers, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Journey Of A Black Artist

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 30, 2024

Consider the journey of a fictional Afro American artist named Maya, who grew up in a neighborhood plagued by inequity. Her early life was fraught with challenges—families losing homes, schools underfunded, and dreams foiled by systemic barriers. However, Maya found solace in art, a channel ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:25

Tags: Hope, Faithfulness, Restoration

Denomination: Methodist

John Wooden: Won Many College Basketball ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

JOHN WOODEN: won many college basketball national championships in a row while at UCLA. Was asked, ‘What does it take to make a winning team? THREE THINGS 1) Get players in right condition (right with God/Salvation) 2) Team them the fundamentals ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Church Body Of Christ, Assurance Of Salvation

I Would Suggest This Day That The Empty Tomb ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jun 5, 2001

I would suggest this day that the empty tomb represents an emptied, not empty heart and life. The stone represents the sin that blocks the heart and life from being liberated and freed from the darkness that it contains. God, through Christ, has rolled ...read more

Tags: Death Nearness, Growth In Christ, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Church Of God

I Freed Germany From The Stupid And Degrading ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 23, 2002

I freed Germany from the stupid and degrading fallacies of conscience and morality. …We will train young people before whom the world will tremble. I want young people capable of violence – imperious, relentless and cruel. Adolph Hitler ...read more

Tags: Morality, Conscience

A Few Years Ago The Promise Keeps (Which Urges ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 9, 2003

A few years ago the Promise Keeps (which urges tens of thousands of men nationwide to be responsible, self-disciplined, and God-fearing) drew fire from the then president of the National Organization of Women, Patricia Ireland, “Promise Keepers have created ...read more

Tags: Women, Men And Women, Marriage Obligations

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Said To The Man Who Stood At The Gate Of The ...

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Apr 17, 2004

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Charismatic

John R. W. Stott Once Admitted The Truth That ...

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004

John R. W. Stott once admitted the truth that many of us have felt but failed to confess: "The thing I know will give me the deepest joy -- namely, to be alone and unhurried in the presence of God, aware of His ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Philip Melancthon, The Great Reformation ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 12, 2004

Philip Melancthon, the great Reformation theologian, once said to his friend Martin Luther, “This day you and I will discuss the governance of the universe.” What Luther said in response was unexpected: “This day you and I will go fishing and leave the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 18:1-19

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

David Livingstone Once Said, "I Place No Value ...

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 12, 2004

David Livingstone once said, “I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 31:25-54

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Baptist

Coming For His Crown  PRO

Contributed by Chuck Hill on Dec 8, 2004

COMING FOR HIS CROWN When the Archbishop of Canterbury crowned Queen Elizabeth II, he laid the crown on her head with this pronouncement, “I give thee, O sovereign lady, this crown to wear until he who reserves the right to wear it shall return.” The Archbishop ...read more

Tags: Second Coming, Christmas Advent, Divinity Of Christ

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Christmas Tree  PRO

Contributed by Jennifer Mathews on Dec 28, 2004

The Christmas tree: It was on a Tree that God hung His greatest gift to humankind. The Christmas tree is symbolic of a broken curse, its evergreen branches representing everlasting life. Our exchange of gifts isn’t a surrender to commercialism, but ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You Like When You Come Back From ...

Contributed by Richard Francis on Jan 4, 2005

What are you like when you come back from church, Moses shone after his encounters with God so much so that he was asked to cover up all that reflected glory. how about you, will you shine like ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational