In Sermon Illustrations: "Be Ready" showing 681-700 of 1,231

"living Life With Purpose"

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 2, 2021

Jewish novelist Chaim Potok (his novel "The Chosen" sold over 3 million copies) gave a lecture at Johns Hopkins University. He had wanted to be a writer from an early age. But when he was ready to go off to college his mother took him aside and said; “I know you want to be a writer but I ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, Philippians 1:21

Tags: Death, Life, Purpose, Meaning

Denomination: Pentecostal

President Mckinley Had A Mother Who Taught Him Well

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

As a lawyer, as a congressman, as Governor of Ohio, and as President of the United States, William McKinley had a close relationship with his mother. He either visited her or sent a message to her every day. When she became seriously ill, he arranged to have a special train standing by, ready to ...read more

Tags: Teach Your Children, Godly Mothers, Will Of God, Hymns

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Impact A Godly Father Makes On The Life Of A Child

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

Steven Lawson has written a book called The Legacy- Ten Core Values Every Father Must Leave His Child. In the book there is a study that is performed contrasting a couple who are not Christian and a couple who are Christian and their descendants. What they did was take a guy by the name of Max ...read more

Tags: Children, Legacy, Fathers, Christian Homes, Core Values For Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Perfect Portrait Of Peace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7

Tags: Peace, Presence Of God, Problems, Spirit Filled Life, Trials, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was Once A Pastor Who Decided He Was Going ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There was once a pastor who decided he was going to do something different for a change, so instead of a sermon, he gave everyone two sheets of paper. On one sheet, the heading read, “THE PROBLEM IN THIS CHURCH IS …” and on the other sheet, the heading read, “WHAT THIS CHURCH NEEDS IS …” He had ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Family Unity

I Want To Share A Story That Has Changed The Way ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I want to share a story that has changed the way I view compassion. If I was a Hollywood film producer, I would make a movie out of it. It is a true story about a man named Bulus Tsetu. He and his family felt the call of God to start a Bible school in Nigeria, Africa. So after they had been there ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General

A Mother Is Born By Regina ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 27, 2010

A Mother Is Born by Regina Phillips My first child, a daughter, was born on July 27, 2000, and I found I was completely unprepared. I thought I was ready for her birth. I had read my books and articles on childbirth and baby care; I had bought everything on my shopping checklist. The nursery was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15

Tags: Children, Mothers

An Observation About Immanence

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 12, 2020

One of my favorite pastimes is playing some computer games, especially the ones where you make money—okay, run a business, simulation, or that kind of thing. In one of these you, as manager of a transportation company, have the opportunity to choose how best to serve the industries and communities ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Immanence, Return Of Christ, Rewards For Believers

Denomination: Baptist

An Observation About A Pair Of Hard Hats

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 15, 2024

Text: 2 Samuel 3:33-34, KJV: 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. Have you seen any roadside memorials? It ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:33-34

Tags: David, Death, Joab, Abner

Denomination: Baptist

Different Use In Heaven  PRO

Contributed by Tim Gibson on Nov 23, 2000

DIFFERENT USE IN HEAVEN A millionaire Christian is sleeping in his bedroom when an angel comes to him and wakes him up. "It’s time for you to go to heaven", says the angel. "Oh, i’m not ready, what should I bring ?", says the millionaire. "Nothing, just yourself", replies the angel. But the ...read more

Tags: Death Nearness, Finding Fulfillment, Heaven

Denomination: *other

Oil Was Discovered On Some Oklahoma Property ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Lobbs on Mar 1, 2001

Oil was discovered on some Oklahoma property belonging to an elderly Indian. All his life he had been poverty stricken, just eking out a living. But the discovery of oil had suddenly made him a very wealthy man. The first thing he bought was a very big Cadillac. He wanted the longest car in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-6

Tags: Excercising Faith, Essentials Of Faith, God's Omnipotence, Gift, Holy Spirit Attributes, Prosperity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Received This Story In An E-Mail, So I Am Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 16, 2001

I received this story in an e-mail, so I am not sure of the original source. A little boy purchased a model sailboat. He was so excited about building the boat. He diligently constructed the boat and was ready to test it on the water. He walked down the the lake to sail his boat. As soon as he ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Forgiveness, Lordship Of Christ

When I Was In Bible College I Meet An ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jul 23, 2001

When I was in Bible College I meet an interesting young man by the name of Shannon. What made him interesting were his looks. His hair was a different color each week, his ears were loaded with earrings, and he wore the big loose grunge style clothing. But the most interesting point of style was ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-15

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts, Disciples, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lines To A Skeleton…  PRO

Contributed by Larry Daugherty on Aug 7, 2001

LINES TO A SKELETON... The mss. of this poem was found in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, near a perfect human skeleton. It was first published around the early 1900’s It Has a Profound Message!!! Behold this ruin! ’Twas a skull, Once of ethereal spirit filled. This narrow ...read more

Tags: Death, Death Nearness

Denomination: Holiness

There Was A King Who Had All His World Could ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 11, 2001

There was a king who had all his world could afford. The thing he loved most, however, was to laugh. Once while being entertained a jester came along wishing to join in the festival of activities and also wishing to perform for him. His opportunity came and he put the best comical show together he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Hell, Parable Rich Fool

When God Looks At The Human Heart, He Knows What ...  PRO

Contributed by James Dunn on Feb 11, 2002

When God looks at the human heart, he knows what he’s looking at. 1 Samuel 16:7 suggests that we don’t and can’t, even when we look at our own hearts. The results of not seeing the heart for what it is can be disastrous. An Illinois man died waiting for a donor kidney a month after his transplant ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Baptist

The Blame Game  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Monroe on Feb 20, 2002

Already, get ready to play the "Blame Game": You are driving 100 mph in a 45 mph zone, you lose control, flip your car on a sharp curve, and critically injure yourself, who is at fault? No, not you, the Dept. of Transportation for not making the degree of banking on the curve great enough to keep ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

A Preacher In Tennessee Said His Father Was Not ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 20, 2002

A preacher in Tennessee said his father was not a Christian and never went to church. He said everyone else in the family would get ready and go to church and his dad would stay home. The preacher would come by and visit and his dad would always give him the same pat answer; I know why you’re ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bob Russell Who Preaches In Louisville Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2002

Bob Russell who preaches in Louisville was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and he tells the story of his first youth minister who was a city-boy. Now his youth group was made up mostly of kids from the farm so they didn’t think they would have much in common with this city slicker and so weren’t ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Giving Yourself, Gifts General, Superhero, Hero  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Although Douglas Macarthur Graduated From West ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 7, 2002

"Although Douglas MacArthur graduated from West Point at the top of his class, he continued to prepare himself for service to his country. He studied every military textbook he could get his hands on. He visited battlefields and personally reviewed the tactics which the victors and the losers ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 25:1-13

Tags: Discipleship, Second Coming

Denomination: United Methodist