In Sermon Illustrations: "Almost"

The Impact Of Optimism

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2011

THE IMPACT OF OPTIMISM Just a few years ago (2004), Fox News reported on a study that came from the Archives of General Psychiatry. Researchers studied 1,000 people aged 65-85 trying to determine the importance of a positive attitude in dealing with life. After almost 10 years of follow-up, these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Tags: Attitude General

So Yesterday I Went Across The Road To Jumbos Takeaways!

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Apr 29, 2012

So yesterday I went across the road to Jumbos Takeaways. Just as an aside have you ever noticed that just about every town in New Zealand has a ‘Jumbo’s Takeaway’s’ it’s like the franchise that you have when you’re not having a franchise. There was one in Stoke where I grew up, it wasn’t painted ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Commitment, Food, Commitment To Christ, Commitment To God, Commitment To Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Fork In The Road

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 1, 2012

A FORK IN THE ROAD Several artists were asked to illustrate their concepts of temptation. When their paintings were unveiled, some of them depicted man's attempt to achieve fame and fortune at any cost. Others pictured mankind’s struggle against the alluring desires of the flesh. The ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:10-19

Tags: Temptation Resisting

Frank’s Combat Trauma

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 10, 2018

Frank Bernadone bore the emotional wounds of his time in the military. His unit had already been through four years of battles when they came to Perugia. The town was heavily fortified, leading his unit’s assault against it to be disastrous. A bloody day of fighting culminated in what was almost ...read more

Tags: Pain, Military, Suffering, Ptsd, Scars  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Deceitfulness Of Sin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

One of the largest freshwater turtles is the alligator snapping turtle. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, these massive turtles have been known to weigh close to 250 pounds. They are carnivorous, and while their diet is primarily fish, they have been known to eat almost anything ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23

Tags: Sin, Deception, Temptation, Deceit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are We Preaching?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

WHAT ARE WE PREACHING? False teachings abound whenever people do not know the truth. Many of our churches today do not teach the truth because many pastors do not know the Bible. In our seminaries, almost 50 percent of professors now teach that there was no virgin birth of Jesus, and that story ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Liberalism, Apostasy, Preaching The Word, Preachers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gorilla And Lion

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 13, 2022

There is a story about a college student who was desperately in need of a summer job. He discovered the local zoo was looking for help. He couldn’t think of a more creative way to spend the summer, but he wasn’t prepared for the job description. When he went to apply, the zookeeper explained ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: Lion, Gorilla, Zoo

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rescued Twice

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 23, 2022

A wealthy English family once invited friends to spend some time at their beautiful estate. The happy gathering was almost plunged into a terrible tragedy on the first day. When the children went swimming, one of them got into deep water and was drowning. Fortunately, the gardener heard the others ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 1:4

Tags: Salvation, Miracle, Sovereignty Of God, Rescued

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make Sure Your Ax Is Sharpen

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Feb 16, 2023

When we were young we did not have central heating and air. As a matter of fact I do not remember us having a window unit. What we had was a fireplace in the winter time and a screen door in the summer. I remember that old fire place. If it was real cold we would put a blanket over the door ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:10

Tags: Holy Spirit, Sharpening Your Ax

Denomination: Church Of God

Children Need To Be Loved

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 17, 2023

No more convincing evidence of the absence of parental affection exists than that compiled by Rene Spitz. In a South American orphanage, Spitz observed and recorded what happened to 97 children who were deprived of emotional and physical contact with others. Because of a lack of funds, there was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-5

Tags: Nurture, Touching, Love, Children, Marriage, Parents, Family, Home  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Durer Brothers: No One Makes It Alone

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 23, 2011

THE DURER BROTHERS: NO ONE MAKES IT ALONE Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this big family, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Tags: Giving Yourself

While Out On A Date One Evening I Decided To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 5, 2001

While out on a date one evening I decided to drive out to a favorite parking place to talk. I didn’t have enough money to do anything else. After we stopped the car and was just sitting there talking in the dark I leaned my head against the stering wheel a couple of times. I don’t know why I did ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Romantic Love

Answered Prayer—with Cattle  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 4, 2002

“Answered Prayer—With Cattle” Shortly after Dallas Theological Seminary was founded in 1924, it almost came to the point of bankruptcy. All the creditors were going to foreclose at noon on a particular day. That morning they met in the president’s office for prayer that God would provide. In ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:10

Tags: Prayer Answered, Prayer General

Denomination: Wesleyan

Open Sandals Were The Most Common Footwear, ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Apr 9, 2002

… open sandals were the most common footwear, and it was customary for guests to leave their sandals at the door when they entered a house. Since most travelers in Israel shared the main roads with camels, horses, and donkeys, it was impossible to completely avoid the droppings of these animals all ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Church Practices, Emotions

Denomination: Pentecostal

G. Gert Behanna, Converted At Age Of 60, Went ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 15, 2002

G. Gert Behanna, converted at age of 60, went around the country speaking, wrote book THE LATE LIZ, in an interview “You know I travel around speaking for God and in the process I’m forced to use gas stations restrooms which are almost always filthy. I used to complain about that to God. I’d say, ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Darcie Sims Tells Why Christmas For Her Is "The ...

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 15, 2002

Darcie Sims tells why Christmas for her is “the hardest holiday”. Darcie is part of Compassionate Friends, a support group network of bereaved parents. Her son died and for her and her daughter Christmas Past means bittersweet memories. Darcie writes, “All those traditions that mean so much now ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Disappointment

Denomination: Congregational

The Bible Tells Us That Where Your Treasure Is, ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jan 24, 2003

· The Bible tells us that where your treasure is, there your heart is also. That means we could accurately say that many folks are more committed to professional sports than they are to the church. In 1993 the total attendance at worship services in the U.S. was 5.6 billion, while the total ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Tags: Church General, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christian Football!!  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 11, 2003

CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL!! Quarterback Sneak - Church members quietly leaving during the invitation. Draw Play - What many children do with the bulletin during worship. Half-time - The period between Sunday school and worship when many choose to leave. Benchwarmer - Those who do not sing, pray, work, ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Church Practices

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Me Read To Something Written By Oscar Wilde. ...

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Apr 10, 2006

Let me read to something written by Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde was a playwrite in the 19th century who was one of the leaders of the Decadence Movement of his era. In modern use, decadence is often defined as a decline in or loss of excellence, obstructing the pursuit of ideals. It is typified by ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gordon Brightened As He Figured Out The Dilemma ...

Contributed by Lisa Delay on Sep 25, 2006

Gordon brightened as he figured out the dilemma and responded, “I answered who am I, but I should have said, ‘For a living I defend profitable corporations from schemers trying to get rich with frivolous lawsuits’.” Gordon chuckled and gave a big toothy grin to his classmates. “Go ahead, hate ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational