In Sermon Illustrations: "Active Faith"

Hope Is

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Apr 25, 2011

HOPE IS Hope is faith in the immutable promise that miracles prevail when the darkness tries to win-out with cries of despair. Hope is a gift from God that helps us yearn, and live a life that believes and moves with the pledge of a better tomorrow. And what’s more, hope springs-forth ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Lutheran

Achieving Virtue

Contributed by Michael Walther on Jul 4, 2011

ACHIEVING VIRTUE The word "virtue" is taken from the Latin word virtus and actually means "strength" or "manliness." So you see that the real strength of this life is found by successfully winning the inner war of faith. It is because of weakness that we are ruled by passions and controlled by ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: Lutheran

A Mother's Secret For Success

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 28, 2011

A MOTHER'S SECRET FOR SUCCESS This is a poem we found 11 years after my moms death.It touches my heart each time I read it. A Mothers Secret For Success When in the morning I wash my children, I prayed that they might be washed by the Saviours precious blood. When I put on their garments, I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:20-23

Tags: Witness, Children, Mothers Day, Mother's Day, Grandchildren  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism Long Ago

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 23, 2012

BAPTISM LONG AGO Centuries ago the circumstances of one's baptism would come on Easter eve at midnight. In the semidarkness, he or she would disrobe and descend into the waters to be immersed three times, in the name of the Father, then the Son, and finally the Holy Spirit. The newly baptized ...read more

Tags: Baptism

The Most Important Discovery  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 14, 2012

THE MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY Dr. Henry "Fritz" Schaefer earned his Ph.D in chemical physics from Stanford University. For 18 years, he served as professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of more than 800 scientific publications and during the period of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Tags: Jesus Christ

Keys To Success In Ministry

Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on Jul 7, 2014

There are God-given keys for success in ministry, employing science, philosophy or marketing principles is pure aberration. 1. Courage, strength of character and addiction to the word of God. Josh1:4-10. 2. Vision and patience. Hab2:2-3. 3. Willingness and selflessness. 1Pet5:1-4. 4. Separation. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:4-10

Tags: Philosophy, Success In Ministry, Equipping Ministry

Denomination: Pentecostal

Giving Tithes And Offering To Your Local Church

Contributed by Rev. Vinod Rasaily on Oct 19, 2016

Believers must understand that Church is the backbone of mission and therefore must be faithful in bringing their tithes and offering to their local Church. Some Church goers who live outside of their home town would not commit themselves to support the Church which they are attending, instead they ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10-11

Tags: Tithes And Offering, Christian Giving, Giving To God

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pure Love Brings Joy

Contributed by Christopher Sweeney on May 19, 2017

Many of you may have experienced this but I have from my two nephews and my time in youth ministry that there are times when you are having the worst days and then a child will run up to you and give you a hug or say I love you and everything goes away. Why, why is it that a hug can help erase the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Love, Joy

Two Farmers

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 14, 2019

Two Farmers One time there were two farmers who were going through a period of terrible drought, they were at a place of discouragement. One farmer went ahead and plowed his fields, trusting GOD to send the rain. The other farmer thought “What’s the Use. Planting time came, Still no rain. The first ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-41

Tags: Doubt, Believe

Denomination: Pentecostal

Propitiation And Jewish Roots

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 30, 2019

Modern Jews, like Jews centuries before Christ, believed their suffering atoned for sing.Faithful Jews even today are encouraged to offer a prayer when seriously ill or near death called the Viduy (or Vidui) prayer: "I acknowledge before You, Lord my G-d and the G-d of my fathers, that my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Atonement, Propitiation, Calvary, Death Of Christ, Penal Atonement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eat Twinkies Together

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 23, 2019

A Harvard study of 7,000 people found that the most isolated people were 3 times more likely to die than those with strong relationships. Reporting on the study, John Ortberg writes that “people who had bad health habits (such as smoking, poor eating habits, or alcohol use) but strong social ties ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Tags: Church, Relationships, Synergy

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Need Revival When.....

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

1. You are entertained by things that once grieved you. 2. You are silent where you once spoke. 3. Your prayer closet has cobwebs and your Bible is dusty. 4. You have ceased to grieve over your own sin. 5. You have stopped sharing your faith. 6. You are more excited about your personal agenda ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Revival, Beatitudes, Thirsting For God, Hungering For God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

10 Reasons To Study The Scriptures

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

TEN REASONS TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES 1. Will strengthen your personal life (1 John 2:14). 2. Will strengthen your assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13). 3. Will strengthen your confidence in your relationship with God (1 John 5:14). 4. Will undergird the effectiveness of your prayers (John 15:7). 5. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Scripture, Truth, Bible Study, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Is Our Strength

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Oct 12, 2021

My beautiful mama was always so strong, a tower of strength, courage and faith that stood like a beacon for our family. Psalm 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. As I meditated on this, I remembered a time when I was about 3 years old or so. I saw myself ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1, Psalm 28:8, Psalm 37:39, Exodus 15:2

Tags: Fear, Protection, Strength, God Is Our Strength

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Cain Refused To Bring A Blood Offering

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

God's having made for man coats of skin presupposes the slaying of animals; and doubtless implies that Abel's sacrifice of an animal life was an act of faith which rested on God's command (though not expressly recorded) that such were the sacrifices He required. If it had not been ...read more

Tags: Blood Atonement, Sacrifices, Cain, Abel, Blood Of Jesus, Blood Covenant, Offerings  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He's No Stranger

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 2, 2023

He’s the wisest man in the church; There’s nothing he can’t do. If you turn down your ministry, He’ll be there to do it for you. He’s also a very faithful member, And shows up right on the dot. Then if you don’t keep your commitment, He’ll cover you and fill in your spot. He’s obviously ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:12, Colossians 3:23

Tags: Labor Day, Funny, Poem, Blame Shifting, Work, Lazy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Empowered To Serve

Contributed by John Bright on Nov 9, 2023

In every war there are stories of courage, bravery, and acts of heroism that go beyond all human limitations. Do you know the name Desmond Doss? He was a soldier in WW2 that came from Lynchburg, Virginia. Because of his faith tradition that prevented him from carrying a weapon, he enlisted as a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:59-60

Tags: Courage, Heroism, Bravery, World War 2

Denomination: Methodist

Characteristics Of People In The Last Days

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE IN THE LAST DAYS (II Timothy 3:1-4) Self-Centeredness: People will love only themselves and their money. Pride and Disobedience: They will be boastful, proud, scoff at God, and disobedient to their parents. Lack of Gratitude: Ungratefulness will prevail. Lack of Love ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Tags: Deception, Antichrist, Last Days, Rapture, False Teachers, Tribulation, Signs, False Prophets, Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leaving Behind A Godly Legacy Is A Long, And ...  PRO

Contributed by Milt Johnson on May 9, 2002

Leaving behind a godly legacy is a Long, and sometimes Difficult Process. Let me try to explain this process through a simple illustration. If you have been around CBC for a while you have already seen this but I think that is worth repeating. (Hold up a Helium filled Balloon) When a child is ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just Prior To The 2002 Olympics I Was Asked By ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2005

Just prior to the 2002 Olympics I was asked by Arturo Kinch of Costa Rica to coach him in Cross Country skiing. This wasn’t Arturo’s first Olympics or ski experience. In fact I realized that this former missionary kid, who hadn’t even seen snow until he was 19, was somewhat of a folk hero in ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God