In Sermon Illustrations: "Battles"

Paul Duncan Was An Accountant For A Large ...  PRO

Contributed by Nick Scarpa on May 28, 2004

Paul Duncan was an Accountant for a large manufacturing firm in Lansing Michigan. When it came to numbers he was the best! But when it came to pain he was a wimp. Paul hated pain of any type. A common cold would set him back for a week. He couldn’t work or do anything. In 1997 he was diagnosed ...read more

Tags: Faith, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

In Ancient Rome, Military Commanders Who Had ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In ancient Rome, military commanders who had been victorious in battle, killing at least 5,000 enemy troops, were honored publicly in a huge civil and religious ceremony called a Roman Triumph. The “triumphator,” as he was called, was paraded through the city ahead of his troops. In front of him ...read more

Tags: Humility

In Past Wars Couriers Were Commonly Used To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In past wars couriers were commonly used to carry communications back and forth from headquarters to the front lines. A military courier bringing a detachment to the field of battle from headquarters may have absolutely no idea what is contained in the sealed envelope he carries. It is his duty to ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

The General Took His Stand

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 23, 2008

Illus.: “The General Took His Stand” Fredrick the Great of Germany, was a scoffer, but his great general, Von Zealand, was a devout Christian. One day at a gathering, the king was making coarse jokes about Jesus and the whole palace was ringing with laughter. Von Zealand arose stiffly and said, ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The General Took His Stand  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 23, 2008

Illus.: “The General Took His Stand” Fredrick the Great of Germany, was a scoffer, but his great general, Von Zealand, was a devout Christian. One day at a gathering, the king was making coarse jokes about Jesus and the whole palace was ringing with laughter. Von Zealand arose stiffly and said, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Freedom, Pardon, Liberty

Denomination: Wesleyan

Although He Follows No Rules, We Know Satan ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Although he follows no rules, we know Satan attacks on three fronts: through the flesh, through the world, and by direct assault. The Flesh: In the 1936 Spanish civil war, Franco’s Loyalist Army defeated the Republican Army in Madrid. It was the key battle of the war and led to the establishment ...read more

Tags: Satan

Picture Again The Medieval Manor We Talked About ...

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Jun 15, 2010

Picture again the medieval manor we talked about earlier. No doubt many lords of the manor were more concerned about their own comfort and safety rather than about their people. But a good lord would defend his people. He would fight for them against marauders, raiders, bandits. He might even bleed ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

So Much For Paradise

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 26, 2011

SO MUCH FOR PARADISE Have you ever received a beautiful brochure of a vacation spot and it never felt that way when you go there? Years ago I went on a business trip to the Bahamas and the hotel and surrounding area looked beautiful. The first evening in the hotel as I was drifting off to sleep I ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting

Cruel Christians

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2011

CRUEL CHRISTIANS During the Spanish conquest of Mexico under Hernando Cortez in the early 1500s, a resistance leader named Hatney was captured after a fierce battle and sentenced to be burned alive. After tying him to the stake, his captors urged him to become a Christian so that at his death his ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

Tags: Christian Witness

Do You Want To Quit?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

There was a story of a British soldier in the First World War who lost heart for the battle and deserted. Trying to reach the coast for a boat to England that night, he ended up wandering in the pitch black night, hopelessly lost. In the darkness he came across what he thought was a signpost. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Fear, Commitment, Endurance, Apostasy, Perserverance, Quitting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empowered To Serve

Contributed by John Bright on Nov 9, 2023

In every war there are stories of courage, bravery, and acts of heroism that go beyond all human limitations. Do you know the name Desmond Doss? He was a soldier in WW2 that came from Lynchburg, Virginia. Because of his faith tradition that prevented him from carrying a weapon, he enlisted as a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:59-60

Tags: Courage, Heroism, Bravery, World War 2

Denomination: Methodist

One Of The Most Beloved And Colorful Sports ...

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 16, 2005

One of the most beloved and colorful sports personalities of our time was a man named Jim Valvano, "Jimmy V" as he was known affectionately to sports fans around the country. Jim Valvano tragically died just a few years ago after a year-long battle with cancer. He was just 47 years old. He will be ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Baptist

In The Spring Of 1940, War Between England And ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Miano on Apr 30, 2001

In the spring of 1940, war between England and Germany was beginning to wage in the Atlantic. The allied fleets of America and England were still abiding by a disarmament treaty that limited the size of warships. But the Germans were building ships of gigantic proportions. One such ship, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:20, Hebrews 9:1-30

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Faith General, Emotions

Denomination: *other

Every Once In A While My Daughter Starts ...

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 30, 2004

Every once in a while my daughter starts crying. From then on in, the battle begins. My wife and I have an ignorance contest. Who can lay the stillest for the longest without getting up? The trick to winning this battle is to learn how to tune it out. If I can somehow stay in a sort of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

The Cincinnati Reds Rookie Center Fielder Josh ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 6, 2007

The Cincinnati Reds rookie center fielder Josh Hamilton shared his story in ESPN the magazine. How that drug addiction nearly destroyed his life. He was in rehab 8 times. When he quit using his dreams returned, but they were often dark and haunting and stayed with him long after he awoke. ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Most Memorable 4th Of July Celebration For Me ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

The most memorable 4th of July celebration for me happened at Fort Devens, Massachusetts in 1986. The fireworks are usually excellent at any military base for the 4th of July, but that is not what I remember. The cannons shooting at the playing of the 1812 Overture was impressive, but not the most ...read more

Tags: Surrender, Independence Day

Recognition Of An Enemy  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Recognition of an Enemy Romans 8:12-14, "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-14

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Day Daddy Came ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2009

THE DAY DADDY CAME HOME Some time ago, a mother was tucking her little girl into bed when the young daughter asked, "Mother, can you tell me the greatest day of your life?" The mother thought for just a second and then said, "Honey, I can tell you the greatest day in my life. As you know, my ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-16

Tags: Second Coming

Hold The Fort, For I Am ...

Contributed by Dwight L. Moody on Jun 11, 2009

HOLD THE FORT, FOR I AM COMING I am told that when General Sherman went through Atlanta toward the sea, through the southern states; he left in the fort, in the Kenesaw mountains, a little handful of men to guard some rations that he brought there. And General Hood got into the outer rear and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: *other

He Cried For Me  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 14, 2011

HE CRIED FOR ME Jan, who was a young mother in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, 20 years ago, tells a remarkable story from that time in her life. In a note to her pastor, she wrote: It was the end. I knew it. I could no longer fight. I sat here emotionless. I was totally alone. Others had tried to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-8

Tags: Suffering Loneliness