In Sermon Illustrations: "Bad News"

Angel Warriors  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 28, 2008

Angel Warriors John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-2, 2 Kings 6:17

Tags: Angels

Denomination: Wesleyan

Not Of Works

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 3, 2008

Not of Works Grace, triumphant in the throne, Scorns a rival, reigns alone; Come and bow beneath her sway! Cast your idol works away! Works of man, when made his plea, Never shall accepted be; Fruits of pride (vain-glorious worm!) Are the best he can perform. Self, the god his soul ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Other

A Couple Found A Beautiful Log House In Color...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 6, 2008

A couple found a beautiful log house in Colorado that was high in the mountains. It had a beautiful view, and they had their heart set on buying it. They prayed about the house, but one thing after another went wrong. The timing was not right, their financing didn’t go through. They had prayed ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

I Heard About A Young Single Preacher Who Took ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Nov 24, 2008

I heard about a young single preacher who took his first part-time church while he was still in seminary. He preached a message one Sunday called, “10 Facts on How to Have the Perfect Marriage and raise Perfect Children.” A few years later he got married. He pulled out the old sermon to preach ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Blacksmith Strikes His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

Illustration: When the blacksmith strikes his hammer repeatedly on the anvil it is said that the same anvil will wear out many hammers. Those who strike Christians are creating boldness in the body of Christ. When Christians are persecuted there is more courage. Tell about the workers at Youth for ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Tomorrow

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 10, 2019

It is reported that Colonel Rahl, commander of the British troops in Trenton, New Jersey, was playing cards when a courier brought an urgent message stating that General George Washington was crossing the Delaware River. Rahl put the letter in his pocket and didn't bother to read it until his ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Tags: Procrastination, Tomorrow

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Inn

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

The INN was full. The "inn" is mentioned in the Old Testament, and was still in operation in the New. The Inn was located on land that had been given to Chimham by DAVID (2 Samuel 19:32-40). It was a place to accommodate a number of TRAVELERS (Jeremiah 41:17). Holman Bible Dictionary ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7

Tags: Christmas, Bethlehem, Inn, No Room At The Inn

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Happiness

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 11, 2020

Augustine on Depravity and Grace; “Without you what am I to myself but a guide to my own self destruction?” “... the self which willed to serve (God) was identical with the self which was unwilling. It was I. I was neither wholly willing nor wholly unwilling. So I was in conflict with myself ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-25

Tags: Grace, Sin, Depravity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discovered By Mistake

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 24, 2021

In 1968, scientist Spencer Silver at the 3M company created a very weak adhesive that would peel off when removed from any surface. The funny thing was that he was in fact trying to create a super strong adhesive No one thought there was any use for such a product, until another scientist, Art Fry, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-40

Tags: Mistakes, Failure, Uninended

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Dimensions Of Pentecost

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

When you stop and consider the work of the Holy Spirit—and that’s what Pentecost is all about—there are three direct dimensions: • First, the Holy Spirit does an INWARD work in us. He is the One who administers justification, regeneration, and the new birth in our lives. He is the One who cleanses ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Revival, Simon Peter

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Don't See The Evidence

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 31, 2022

I was with a friend talking to a new acquaintance when she began touting the virtues of a weight loss book she had read a few years earlier. “It will completely change your relationship with food,” she exclaimed, insisting he take down the name of the book and its author. I saw the man glance at ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22, James 1:23, James 1:24, James 1:25, 2 Corinthians 8:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Doer Of The Word, Integrity, Honesty

Denomination: Charismatic

Seven Wonders Of Grace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

SEVEN WONDERS OF GRACE. Text - Galatians 2:20.  There are seven spiritual wonders in this marvelous text: 1. That the Son of God should love a persecutor like Saul. "Who loved me." 2. That the Son of God should be crucified. "Crucified with Christ." 3. That Christ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Faith, Grace, Discipleship, Christian Life, Death To Self  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To Understanding The Parables

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2022

KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE PARABLES Parables provide insight into the nature, coming, growth and of the Kingdom of God. Parables are by design intended to be surprising. They often sneak up on us. Parables are used to simulate thinking and cause the hearer to carefully contemplate what they ...read more

Tags: Teaching, Truth, Preaching, Parables, Kingdom Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Churches Closed Due To Lack Of Power!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 10, 2023

Bill Crowder gives us a pithy Illustration of Need for Power. The first winter that my wife Marlene and I were married was marked by severe blizzards. I can vividly remember one Sunday when we awoke to find that the electricity had been knocked out by an ice storm. Huddled around a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Acts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is The Mission Field?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 10, 2023

Most people associate missions with leaving for another city, country, or continent. This is because, technically speaking, we refer to those who have crossed cultural, ethnic, or geographic lines in order to share about Jesus as missionaries. However, mission work includes more than rain forest ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Witnessing, Great Commission, Evangelism, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Missions, Revival  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hank Aaron And Yogi Berra

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 19, 2024

There is a story involving Yogi Berra, the well-known catcher for the New York Yankees, and Hank Aaron, who at the time was the chief power hitter for the Milwaukee Braves. The teams were playing in the World Series, and as usual Yogi was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Tags: Goals, Distractions

A.w. Tozer Reconciles The Sovereignty Of God And The Will Of Man

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 10, 2024

A. W. Tozer attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty and man's freewill: An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. On board the liner are scores of ...read more

Tags: Faith, Father, Heaven, Trust, Journey, Sovereignty Of God, Will Of Man, Depending On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Remember The Incredible Hulk? If You Do ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 29, 2001

Do you remember the Incredible Hulk? If you do you either remember the big green monster from the comics or the television show. Dr. Banner had a serious problem. In an experiment he had unleashed a terrible monster. In times of stress he would turn into this huge raging monster. One of the ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To, Christian Disciplines, Anger

He Was A Professional Thief. His Name Stirred ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jan 28, 2002

He was a professional thief. His name stirred fear as the desert wind stirs tumbleweeds. He terrorized the Wells Fargo stage line for thirteen years, roaring like a tornado in and out of the Sierra Nevada’s, spooking the most rugged frontiersmen. In journals from San Francisco to New York, his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5-8, Matthew 10:24-31

Tags: Endurance, Fear, Fear And Worry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Burying Karla Faye Tucker  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 15, 2002

BURYING KARLA FAYE TUCKER In February 1998, the State of Texas prepared to execute Karla Faye Tucker, for her participation in the murder of Jerry Lynn Dean and Deborah Thornton with a pick ax in 1983. What brought this story to the News agencies was Karla’s request for a stay from execution. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Tags: Forgiveness For Others