In Sermon Illustrations: "Acts 21 23 1"

The Journey Of Jonathan Aitken

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Nov 4, 2012

THE JOURNEY OF JONATHAN AITKEN Jonathan Aitken was a British war correspondent in Viet Nam, Chief-Executive of TV-AM, and for 23 years an MP including time as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and a Defence Minister. Jonathan Aitken's life fell apart after he was caught telling a lie under oath in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Anglican

Nobody Left Behind

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

We hear the mantra of “No Man left behind” (referring to both men a women) coming from the Military. But the left behind principle has more to do with those living. Although it does pertain to those that are MIA (Missing in Action). The “No Man left Behind” is seen as ---no matter the cost--- that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tags: Encourage Each Other, Nobody Left Behind

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Water Baptism  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Jun 7, 2001

Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way: In the early days of the church. . . , baptism was a declaration that the believer was definitely identifying himself with that group of people who were called Christians and were despised and hated. To be a Christian meant something. To identify yourself with those ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Tags: Baptism, Bridge, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is Not Self-Seeking

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2009

LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING I read a beautiful story that illustrates this truth. In December of 1971 the Daily News of Maryville, Tennessee, ran a brief story about a nine-year-old boy who did an inspiring and self-giving act. He loved his mother, who had been widowed, and wanted to buy her a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Tags: Christian Love

Are We Hypocrites?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I once saw a video of a pastor who had figures, covered with sheets, up in the front of the church. As he started to preach, they were uncovered and you could see monsters and scary characters related to Halloween. The preacher kept asking, “Should these be in the House of God?” The congregation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Tags: Holiness, Halloween, Hypocrite

Denomination: Methodist

History And Purpose Of Memorial ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 29, 2010

History and Purpose of Memorial Day We set aside time in America each year to remember some of the important dates of our history. Tomorrow is one of those days: Memorial Day. On May 30, 1868, our country observed the first day memorializing those who had fallen in battle during the Civil War. It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Tags: Holidays Civic

How Is Jesus Coming Back?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 28, 2019

HOW IS JESUS COMING BACK? We don't know WHEN He is coming......but we do know HOW He is coming. Jesus is coming PERSONALLY – ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Armageddon, Rapture, The Return Of Christ, Revelation, Second Coming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Impact Of Fatherlessness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 11, 2011

THE IMPACT OF FATHERLESSNESS Several years ago the TV show 60 Minutes ran a segment that tells us something important about fatherlessness. The park rangers at a South African wildlife preserve were concerned about the slaughter of 39 rare white rhinos in their park. It turned out that the rhinos ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Tags: Father's Day

Fasting Before The Great Awakening

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 22, 2011

FASTING BEFORE THE GREAT AWAKENING Jonathan Edwards was a man used by God in the First Great Awakening. I have read that he preached in a weak, squeaking, monotone voice and held his tiny manuscript so close to his face that people could not see his expressions. When he preached, "Sinners in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:2-3, Matthew 9:14-15, Mark 2:18-20, Luke 5:33-35, Acts 14:23, Luke 2:37, Matthew 6:16-18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Prayer, Fast

Denomination: Baptist

Hormone ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 10, 2009

HORMONE HURRICANES Josh McDowell is one of christianity’s foremost experts on teenagers. His research shows that in evangelical church circles, 65% of teens have had some kind of sexual experience before the age of 18. 43% say they have actually gone all the way. He asked them where they learned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Temptation, Temptation Sex

Reducing The Glare

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2011

REDUCING THE GLARE Just a few years ago (2004), Frank Gehry finished his landmark creation of the 274 million dollar Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Now, with all that money you'd expect the building to shine, and it does. The shimmering stainless steel concert hall is truly marvelous to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Tags: Holiness

My Friend Will Find Me

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 16, 2012

MY FRIEND WILL FIND ME Sam was a great bird dog. If he pointed to a clump of bushes, there surely was a bird in there. He was much more than just a bird dog. Often we’d share together lazy lunches in an abandoned apple orchard, and the snooze that followed. Late one afternoon, Sam and I became ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-9

Tags: Trust

The Date For Easter Moves Around Each Year. In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2007

The Date for Easter moves around each year. In the year 2018 (and in 2029) it will land right on April 1st --April Fool’s Day. A lot of us have played April Fool’s jokes on others, or have had these jokes played on us. But what if history’s worst joke turned out to be that we were counting on a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Tomb, April Fools Day

Opening Illustration… Mother’s Day ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 10, 2001

OPENING ILLUSTRATION… Mother’s Day Background, Pulpit Helps 1991 It was a woman named Anna M. Jarvis who first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-27, 1 Samuel 1:10-28, Luke 2:33-35

Tags: Origin, Mother's Day, Mothers, History

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Death

Contributed by David Tack on Apr 22, 2024

"An introduction to death means that one has finally succumbed to the fact of a pending loss of independence and now are now facing a total and final dependence on The Creator of your trinitarian being this is why death is so frightening! Even more reason to walk intimately with Him every day ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55, John 3:16

Tags: Death, Sin

Denomination: Baptist

From A Strictly Mathematical Viewpoint

Contributed by Fran Van Hoven on Jun 29, 2007

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint: What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life? ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Why We Believe That Jesus Rose From The Dead

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy. However, if the resurrection of Christ did occur, it confirms His life, message, and atoning work. It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave. Christ is alive, and the evidence is overwhelming. Here are some of ...read more

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Gospel, Disciples, Witnesses, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Is Action  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2001

LOVE IS ACTION In his book, Dad, The Family Coach, Dave Simmons tells of an act of sacrificial love that occurred in a shopping mall. One day he took his eight year old Helen and five year old Brandon to the Cloverdale Mall. He needed to buy some tools in Sears. When they pulled into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Come With Me In Your Imagination To The ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

Come with me in your imagination to the battlefield of Saratoga in New York where in 1777 two battles of the Revolutionary War took place. You will notice on that battlefield an obelisk or pillar standing as a monument to what happened there. At the base are four deep niches for the bronze figures ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-22

Tags: Independence Day, Disciples, Faith

Denomination: Adventist

Faith And Works  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Aug 26, 2010

FAITH AND WORKS There was once a Scotsman who rowed people across a river. On one oar he had carved the word 'faith' and on the other oar he had carved the word 'works'. One day as he was rowing, one of the passengers noticed the carvings and asked him about them. The Scotsman did not reply but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Tags: Faith Vs. Works

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ