In Sermon Illustrations: "Battles Worth Winning"

Looking For A Loophole. W C Fields Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2026

It is a difficult thing... to look in the mirror of our soul... and see where we really stand ... in our relationship with God. Some hold back ... from a total commitment to Jesus... and in a way, ... are looking for a loophole ... to make them acceptable ... before God. (Pause) W. C. Fields ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-34, John 14:6

Tags: Spirit, Battle, Commitment, Flesh, Loophole  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

For Everyone—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Troy Mason on Aug 23, 2002

FOR EVERYONE-COMMUNION MEDITATION James W. Moore of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston tells a story about one of his minister friends. His name is Tom and he does a fascinating thing each month. Even though he has an extremely busy schedule he still makes the time each month to go down ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, Luke 22:19

Tags: Lord's Supper, Reverence, Worth, Communion, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Boston Marathon

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 19, 2015

Around here in Boston, Patriots Day is famously known for “The Boston Marathon” in which runners from all over the world participate. I watched with keen interest as the gun shot went off for the 116th Boston Marathon. Upmost in every ones mind was the question “Who will get the grand prize worth ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Tags: Self-Control, Run To Win, Running The Race, Self-Discipline

The Grandfather In The Bones - Humor

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 25, 2025

There was a quote from an elderly Christian that hit home for me concerning this battle with sin.... He would say: .... "Kill the old man......Kill him every day." Paul calls it a battle.... A daily battle ... that is fought within. This battle with the old flesh.......is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, Hebrews 2:15, Romans 6:3, Romans 6:23

Tags: Battle, Sin, Sanctification, Grandfather, Old Man  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Wanting Without Knowing

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 1, 2022

. As my two sons were climbing into the back seat of our car, Eric, five, yelled, “I call the left side!” That didn’t sit well with Ron, four. “No, I want the left side!” “I want the left side!” “No, I want the left side!” Intervening, I said, “Since Eric is older, he can ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3, 1 Kings 21:1-29

Tags: Desiring, Pride, Winning, Ego, Fighting, Wanting, Quarreling, Covet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Courage Is Fear That Has Said Its Prayers – ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on May 29, 2001

Courage is fear that has said its ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, Excuses, Endurance, Better, Life, Prayer Supplication, Worth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

A Little Girl Once Said To Her Mother, "Mommy, If ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jun 11, 2002

A LITTLE GIRL ONCE SAID TO HER MOTHER, “Mommy, if Santa Claus brings our presents, and God gives us our daily bread, and Uncle Sam gives us ...read more

Tags: Father's Day, Father, Family, Leadership, Purpose, Parenting, Value, Worth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Wesleyan

Greatest Spiritual Challenges We Face

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them: 1. Materialism. 2. Pride. 3. Self-centeredness. 4. Laziness. 5. Anger/Bitterness. 5. Sexual lust. 7. Envy. 8. Gluttony. 9. Lying. Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Lust, Discipleship, Temptation, Pride, Anger, Spiritual Battles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer As Our Heavy Artillery

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul has completed the metaphor of Roman armor. But he is not finished teaching about spiritual warfare. In fact, he has come to the most important weapon in our spiritual arsenal. Prayer is the heavy artillery. Through prayer we call down the bombardment of God against our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Intercession, Victory, Armor, Battles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Spit It Out!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 5, 2024

Use part one to open the sermon. Part one: Spit it Out! One Sunday morning after church as I was shaking hands with a young dad, suddenly he said, “Pastor, excuse me, please.” He had noticed his little 4-year-old with something in her mouth. Fearing what she may have in her mouth, he demanded her ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Soul Winning, Winessing, Salvation, Testimony, The Gospel, Ashamed, Sharing The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

At Six Weeks Of Age, Fanny Crosby Was Blinded, ...  PRO

Contributed by George Mansfield on Feb 1, 2008

At six weeks of age, Fanny Crosby was blinded, but even as a youngster she determined not to be confined by the chains of darkness. In time, she became a mighty force for God through her hymns and Gospel songs. The secret is this: when you have the single mind of purpose, you look on your ...read more

Tags: Enemy, Battle, Peace, Giving, Fight, Peacemaker, God's Might  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Courage Of Civil War Leader Stonewall Jackson ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 8, 2005

The courage of Civil War leader Stonewall Jackson in the midst of conflict can be a lesson for the believer. Historian Mark Brimsley wrote, “A battlefield is a deadly place, even for generals; and it would be naive to suppose Jackson never felt the animal fear of all beings exposed to wounds and ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Warfare, Peace, Examples Of Faith, Confidence, Assurance, Battle  (view more)  (view less)

Blood From Jesus' Brow

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

The Gospel of Luke gives us an accurate description of a very real and yet uncommon medical condition: hematidrosis. It occurs during times of great mental and emotional stress. There are tiny blood vessels that surround all our sweat glands, especially on our brows. When a person is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-44

Tags: Battle, Sins, Garden Of Gethsemane, Maundy Thursday, Transgressions, Iniquities, Hematidrosis  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

A Nation Of Bible Illiterates  PRO

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Jan 25, 2010

A Nation of Bible Illiterates George Barna wrote The State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced Christians and here’s what he found about their knowledge of the Bible. These are Christians. • 48% could not name the four Gospels. • 52% cannot identify more than two ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Psalm 125:1-5, Genesis 1:1-19, Galatians 5:18-22, Ephesians 6:10-17, Romans 15:1, Daniel 3:12-23, Isaiah 55:10-12, Romans 12:15, Acts 5:12-42, 1 Peter 1:13-25, Galatians 6:6-10, Psalm 119:11, Revelation 8:1-17, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Acts 2:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible Study, Crossroad, God's Promises, Soul Winning, Diarrhea, Healing, Perseverance, Abraham, Help  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Swimming With The Sharks

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2024

A millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his fiftieth birthday. During the party he grabs the mic and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it. “The man who dares to swim across that pool gets 1 MILLION ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Tags: Spiritual Battles, Abraham, Spiritual Maturity, Trials, Problems, Temptations, Tests Of Faith, Faith, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Zulus Catch A Monkey

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

Men who trap animals in Africa for zoos in America say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ringtailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it's simple. They've been catching this agile little animal with ease for years. The method the Zulus use is based on ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Deceit, Traps, Battles, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Greed, Temptation, Lies, Defeat, Sin, Lust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Have An Anchor? Do You Know How To Use It??

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2024

The mighty Niagara River plummets some 180 feet at the American and Horseshoe Falls. Before the falls, there are violent, turbulent rapids. Further upstream, however, where the river’s current flows more gently, boats are able to navigate. Just before the Welland River empties into the Niagara, a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Tags: Trials, Temptations, Tests Of Faith, Spiritual Battles, Faith, Trusting God, Troubles, Anchor, Spiritual Maturity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Like The Llama And Face Your Enemy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

Reports the DENVER POST: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West, Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Stand, Running, Spiritual Armor, Word, Battles, Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Victory, Defeat, Fear  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Armor, Soldier

Contributed by Estuardo De La Rosa on Mar 22, 2025

Helmet of a F-35 is worth over 400k due to the accessories and tools it provides the pilot to be able to 'cover' his head from all attacks. This is an important piece of "armor" for the pilot because it helps him win the battle when he is attacking his enemy. In the same way, the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-20

Tags: Shield, Helmet

Two Years Ago The Commandant Of The Marine Corps ...

Contributed by Don Jones on Feb 2, 2007

Two years ago the Commandant of the Marine Corps stood before the graduating class of officers from Quantico. He reminded them of the proud traditions of the Marine Corps. He reminded them of their loyalty to God, country, and Corps. He also reminded them of the great sacrifices made by the men ...read more

Denomination: Baptist