In Sermon Illustrations: "Afraid"

[171]. A Message From A Poem – Living In A Country Town

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 21, 2025

[171]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN This poem is a little idealistic but it was written with the aim of a possible country gospel song. It is not my personal experience, though I have lived in isolated areas including in the semi-desert outback for many years. I can well ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-2, Psalm 8:3-4, Hebrews 13:5-6

Tags: Christian Poems, Country Town, Creation, Faithful, Isolation, Caring, The Creator, Never Leave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pennies, Pluto, And The Things That Matter

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 18, 2025

I just got back to my office after a quick stop for a soda and a snack. When the cashier gave me back my change, he rounded it to the nearest nickel. It looks like we're doing away with pennies. For some odd reason, I think that's sad. But it makes sense (pun intended). From what I hear, it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 12:41-44

Tags: Pluto, Pennies, Kingdom, Kindness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Monkey Business

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 15, 2026

I want to tell you a story about monkeys. This story takes place in a country called India. When I was about your age, I lived with my parents and my brothers and sisters in India. In that country they have monkeys. The monkeys don’t live in zoos like they do here. They live in the trees—right ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5, Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Mercy, Wisdom

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The 100% Solution!" John 14:25-27 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 18, 2005

“The 100% Solution!” John 14:25-27 Key verse(s) 27:“‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’” Since the beginning of time, mankind has craved peace! When Adam and Eve came upon the body of their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9, John 14:25-27

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Lutheran

Letting Go Of The Branch!" Luke 1:5-15 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 31, 2005

“Letting Go of the Branch!” Luke 1:5-15 Key verse(s) 13“But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.” Trusting in God is fine, as long as it is something you believe He can do. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-15, 1 Kings 17:8-16

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

He Was Graduated From The Finest Four-Star ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

He was graduated from the finest four-star Christian college. The product of a distinguished evangelical church, he had a good personal grasp of the Scriptures. From a strong Christian family, he was a personable and handsome green shoot -- the whole nine yards! Like many in his league, however, ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Hat In Hand Thankfulness!" 1 Thessalonians 5: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 24, 2004

“Hat In Hand Thankfulness!” 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-28 Key verse(s): 18: “. . . give thanks under all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Thanksgiving! It is easy to forget, especially when our lives are so filled with other things. Perhaps that’s why we have a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Lutheran

This Past Christmas, Jade Did Something That ...

Contributed by Stephen Evoy on Jan 4, 2008

This past Christmas, Jade did something that re-awakened a part of my heart that should never have been allowed to doze off. It was late in the evening; my parents had dropped by for a short visit. Jade was overly tired and out of sorts. Looking for some trouble, she wadded up a piece of ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Where Is Your Faith?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

“A weak faith is weakened by predicaments and catastrophes, whereas a strong faith is strengthened by them.” – Victor Frankl Rain poured down and thunder boomed one dark night in September in Western Oklahoma. It had been a quiet, pleasant evening at the nursing center, and nurses and residents ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Active Faith, Encourage Others, Courageous Women, Faith Lifestyle

Denomination: Charismatic

[034] A Message From A Poem – Beneath His Wings – My Prayer

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 22, 2025

[034] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BENEATH HIS WINGS – MY PRAYER In this poem there is a little word interplay in each stanza. It is simple to see. The reason for this poem is to express a prayer for personal concerns. I tried to cover a number of points I thought were important. These are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:29-31, Luke 18:10-11, Nehemiah 2:4, Luke 18:13-14, Romans 12:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Prayer, Sincerity, Poetry, Devoted To Prayer, Silent Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[282]. A Message From A Poem – The Lord Will Never Fail Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 31, 2026

[282]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE LORD WILL NEVER FAIL ME (possible song) This is a more unusual poem and in my mind, there was the possibility of a song. The poem has rhythm which is necessary for singing. The metre may defeat that though but not a problem for a good musician. I love ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, Hebrews 13:5-6

Tags: Fail, Abide, Keep, Christian Poems, Failure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[304]. A Message From A Poem - They Have Gone To Be With Jesus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 4, 2026

[304]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THEY HAVE GONE TO BE WITH JESUS Right at the outset I want to say I LOVE THIS POEM. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. I love it because the Lord gave it freely to me and the truth of it now for 27 years has been part of the way I address the loss of a Christian loved one. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Present With The Lord, Absent From The Body, Christian Poems, Christian, Jesus, Heaven, Home, Gone, In Christ, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Charles Finney And Daniel Nash--Evangelism And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2012

CHARLES FINNEY AND DANIEL NASH--EVANGELISM AND PRAYER Charles Finney is a name known to everyone who has studied the mighty movements of God in country. A former lawyer turned preacher by the call of God, Charles Finney was one of the key figures during the Second Great Awakening in 19th Century ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Tags: Evangelism How To

Pioneer

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 27, 2020

Time Magazine's obituary - Dr. Wilfred Thomason Grenfell's October 21, 1940. Oct. 21, 1940 - Wilfred Grenfell spent his boyhood on the Sands of Dee near Cheshire, England. He used to filch biscuits and wine from his school larder to give to fishermen as they left at dawn to catch the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Romans 12:1-8

Tags: Service, Sacrifice, Commitment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lesson Of Grace

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2023

The Lesson of Grace In a serene, sunlit park nestled within a bustling city, an old man sat on a weathered bench, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. His wrinkled face bore the marks of wisdom, and his eyes held stories of countless yesterdays. Passersby often found themselves drawn to his calm ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 4:6, Colossians 3:13

Tags: Grace, Forgiving One Another, Kind To One Another

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Difference Christmas Makes

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 24, 2023

At Christmastime, we set up our Christmas trees and toy trains. We may even walk along singing carols, or we may preach a sermon, but these bits and pieces are barren if we are thinking only of them or even thinking only of being in heaven, and are not stopping to ask ourselves, “What difference ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Shepherds, Christmas, Glory, God's Glory, Ordinary People, Making A Difference  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[048]. A Message From A Poem – Christmas Travesty – Pseudo Christmas

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[048]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTMAS TRAVESTY – PSEUDO CHRISTMAS Walking through a shopping centre at Christmas time was a depressing trip. All around were merchants parading their wares with full commercialisation; fake Santa Claus(es) everywhere and the occasional songs being played – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7, Luke 2:8-14

Tags: Travesty, Infant Jesus, Pseudo Christmas, False Christmas, Christmas, False, Poetry, Poem, Santa Claus, Commercialism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unwanted Items--The Unwanted Scroll

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 30, 2025

Introduction: Before the printing press was invented, all correspondence had to be written and copied by hand. Even in Old Testament times, there were scribes who made copies of various things. Needless to say, it would be a tragedy if these handwritten works were ever lost. It was even worse when ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 36:20-26

Tags: Jeremiah, Baruch, Roll Of A Book, Destroyed Writings

Denomination: Baptist

[259]. A Message From A Poem – The Cold Frosty Night Reveals The Dawn

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[259]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE COLD FROSTY NIGHT REVEALS THE DAWN The cold, frosty night is this current existence in the world where Christians live and are waiting for their Lord to come. The dawn is the coming of the Lord. A number of people correctly see this coming for the Church and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Luke 12:32, 1 John 3:2

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The World Is Getting Worse, Cold Nights, Frosty Nights, Love, Second Coming, Misery, Dawn, Waiting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[299]. A Message From A Poem – The World Imitates The Forest In Drought

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 27, 2026

[299]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE WORLD IMITATES THE FOREST IN DROUGHT This poem is a comparison. The first 5 stanzas describe trees affected by a long, dry spell, and the remainder of the poem transfers those conditions to a sinful world suffering a spiritual drought. Sometimes I like to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6, Lamentations 3:22-23

Tags: Drought, Desertion, Sustain, Spiritual Drought, Christian Poems, Fallen Leaves  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational