In Sermon Illustrations: "Bearing Fruit"

[237 L] [12]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 12

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 14, 2025

[237 L] [12]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 12 THIS IS THE LAST ONE OF THESE CAMEO SCENES They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13, Matthew 14:15-21, Matthew 7:13-21, Mark 11:12-13, Mark 11:19-22, John 18:1-11, Matthew 14:22-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Roman Cohort, Whom Do You Seek, Peter Had A Sword, Broad Way, Fourth Watch Of The Night, Five Loaves Two Fishes, Five Thousand Men, Jesus Cursed The Fig Tree, Fig Tree Withered, Judas, Betrayal, Malchus, Narrow Gate, Little Faith, Walk On Water, Fear, Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Eat Too Many Cookies At Christmas?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 27, 2025

Can You Eat Too Many Cookies at Christmas? Dr. James L. Snyder Christmas was over, and the house began to quiet down in a good way. Don’t get me wrong, I love the noise when all the family is together. It is a good feeling to be with your family during this wonderful holiday season. I love the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

Tags: Cookies, Christmas

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[321]. A Message From A Poem - Uniquely First In Many Ways - Cain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 25, 2026

[321]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - UNIQUELY FIRST IN MANY WAYS - CAIN Cain is never considered in a good light. He is mentioned three times in the New Testament and this is one of them – {{1 John 3:12 “not as Cain who was of the evil one and slew his brother, and for what reason did he slay him? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-7, Jude 1:11, 1 John 3:12

Tags: Sacrifice, Unique, Rejection, Cain, Abel, Disobedience, Murderer, The Way Of Cain, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That’s Why Doctors Call Us Patients

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 17, 2021

For the past month I have been engaging with my eye doctor. I've had two cataracts removed which isn't a serious thing in itself. But what goes into this surgery is what baffles me. I've often wondered why doctors call us patients. I have figured out that the doctors are not patient, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7

Tags: Surgery, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Boulder With Your Name On It!" Numbers ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 1, 2005

“A Boulder With Your Name On It!” Numbers 13:25-29 Key verse(s) 27:“They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But . . .” Sometimes the things that we are able to do surprise even ourselves. Have you ever had ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:25-29

Tags: Doubt, Faith General

Denomination: Lutheran

As A Teenager I Spent Two Years Living In Butte, ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 3, 2009

As a teenager I spent two years living in Butte, Montana. Butte is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains in a small valley which rests directly in the shadow of the great continental divide; a massive mountain range which stretches from New Mexico through Colorado – where its highest peaks reside – ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Christian Church

As A Teenager I Spent Two Years Living In Butte, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

As a teenager I spent two years living in Butte, Montana. Butte is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains in a small valley which rests directly in the shadow of the great continental divide; a massive mountain range which stretches from New Mexico through Colorado -- where its highest peaks reside -- ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:15

Tags: Pride

As Luck Would Have It

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 17, 2022

Quite frankly, I do not believe in luck in any degree. Once in a while, I will say it, but I don't believe it. Luck has no place in my wallet. Sometimes things happen that you can't plan for, which turns out to be rather good. Luck has nothing to do with it. This past week my ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Humor, Luck, Choice

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I’ll Tell You When I’ve Had Enough

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 15, 2024

It was evening, and the day was just about over. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were chilling in the living room, watching TV. It is always lovely when the day ends, and you can relax. Doing nothing can become a habit. I’m not sure what we were watching on TV; it really doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8

Tags: Pleasure, Desires, Ice Cream

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[211]. A Message From A Poem – Panoramic View From The Pinnacle (Part 1)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 24, 2025

[211]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PANORAMIC VIEW FROM THE PINNACLE (PART 1) NOTE: When I went to post this it could not be sent because it said the whole thing was too long. Therefore I had to split it into two Parts.. This is Part 1 and Part 2 will follow after this. This is a longer poem. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 4:13

Tags: Wickedness, Delusion, Reprobate, Tech Companies, Faith Way, World System, Humanism, Allegory, Images, Reprobates, Christian Poems, Pinnacle Of A Rock  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are Homemade Cookies Addictive?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 8, 2020

Some people say we are living in the "new normal." I'm not sure exactly what they mean, and I don't have the time to ask, nor the desire. If the "new normal" is what I have been experiencing in the parsonage for the last several months, I'm all for it. Let it ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:18

Tags: Humor, Negioating

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What It Was, Was A Peach Tree

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 15, 2020

For some reason, this week, I had been thinking of my maternal grandfather. I was named after him, and therefore we had a connection. I was thinking about him because this month I turned the same age as he was when he passed. I hope there's no connection there. As a young boy, I would spend a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Faith, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

An Apple Fritter On My Mind

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 2, 2022

The last few weeks have been rather hectic, and I’ve struggled to keep up with everything. If it weren’t for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I probably would not have gotten where I am today. I don’t know anybody who can plan out a day, week, or month better than her. She has everything ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:21

Tags: Stress, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Was Fortunate To Grow Up In A Home Where My ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 22, 2004

I was fortunate to grow up in a home where my father was both a loving and disciplining presence. I guess I would have to say that if there is anything I really remember about my dad is this, he possessed a presence unlike any other person in my life. To me he was always larger than life. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 16:1-12

Tags: Father's Day, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

Farmall Hospitality!" 3 John 1-8 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 17, 2004

“Farmall Hospitality!” 3 John 1-8 Key verse(s): 5: “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.” I’m a Corvair man! That means that I drive old, forty years or more, cars with air-cooled engines and no shoulder harnesses. Since I’ve ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-8

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Christian Love, Prosperous

Denomination: Lutheran

Tiger Breath!" Matthew 6:9-13 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 6, 2005

“Tiger Breath!” Matthew 6:9-13 Key verse(s): 13:“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It has been foreordained that life is a temptation! Now that is a depressing thought if I ever heard one. Foreordained? That means that no matter what I do or how I do it, ultimately I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Risk Of Sin, Release, Sin Separates From God, Sin Exposed

Denomination: Lutheran

How Dare You Accuse Me!" 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 8, 2005

“How Dare You Accuse Me!” 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 Key verse(s): 57:“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” How dare you? Indignation. Though I have few hairs left on this bald pate, the few that I have will come to attention pretty quick should my dignity be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Tags: Greed, Sin Exposed, Sin General, Submission

Denomination: Lutheran

Step Into The Image Of Christ!" Hebrews 5:1-9 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 14, 2005

“Step Into The Image of Christ!” Hebrews 5:1-9 Key verse(s): 8-9:“Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him . . .” Why do we love the Constitution so! A document that is nearly 220 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-9

Tags: Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran

The Real Sun King!" Job 37:19-24 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 13, 2005

“The Real Sun King!” Job 37:19-24 Key verse(s): 23:“The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.” What does it mean to be truly great? There have been many in history who have claimed to be great, even the greatest. People ...read more

Scripture: Job 37:19-24

Tags: Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

Our Jacob's Ladder!" John 20:19-31 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 29, 2005

“Our Jacob’s Ladder!” John 20:19-31 Key verse(s) 19:“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!.’” It’s hard to keep your mind on hope when you are ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Tags: World, Vision, Easter Resurrection, Eagle, Challenge, Breathe, Friend, Hedge, Jesus, May Day, Need  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran