In Sermon Illustrations: "Becoming A Christian"

The Conversion Account Of St. Augustine

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 21, 2018

The story of Augustine's conversion is an inspiring and amazing one. In my opinion it is a miraculous account of God grabbing the attention of Augustine and speaking directly into his heart through the power of a perfectly timed scripture. This could be a great illustration about the power of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:13-14, Revelation 12:11, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 119:9, Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:24, Ephesians 4:22-24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Put On Christ, Miraculous, Power Of The Word, Conversion Of Augustine, Bible, Romans, Conversion, Testimony, Indulgence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Shows Up

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 3, 2019

I just finished reading a book called, “The Shack.” I read it about ten years ago, and something made me read it again, and I’m so glad I did. I commend it to you as a book that captures the very essence of a God who wants nothing more than to have a loving relationship with you. What an incredible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8

Tags: Humility, The Shack, God Shows Up, Miracle, Sacred In The Ordinary, Sacred In Secular  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What It Means To Die To Self

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

Self denial becomes a life pattern. Now what does it mean as a Christian?  Here are some practical things.   When you are not forgiven, or neglected, or purposely set aside, and you sting and hurt with the insult or oversight, but your heart is happy and you’re ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Discipleship, Self Denial, Following Jesus, Dying To Self

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[068]. A Message From A Poem – Established Now And Changed

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 28, 2025

[068]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ESTABLISHED NOW AND CHANGED This poem is made up of couplets and each couplet is a contrast. What we were, to what God has made us to become. For example, in the first stanza, a member of the world system, but now, a member of the Body of Christ. The last two ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:25

Tags: Poetry, Poem, Established, Changed, Rhyming Couplets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Billy Sunday Said, "If You Have No Joy, There's ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 22, 2005

Billy Sunday said, “if you have no joy, there’s a leak ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

More Than Three Out Of Five (62%) Unchurched ...

Contributed by Michael De Rosa on Oct 2, 2006

More than three out of five (62%) unchurched adults consider themselves ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Best Public Worship Is That Which Produces ...  PRO

Contributed by Donn Heinrich on Feb 11, 2002

"The best public worship is that which produces the best private ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Holiness

Denomination: Baptist

A Bird Is Meant To Fly In The Air. Fish Operate ...

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

A bird is meant to fly in the air. Fish operate best in the water, and Christians are to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pastor, I Think I Have The Gift Of ...

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 28, 2008

"Pastor, I think I have the gift of attendance." Attendance is not a gift; it is ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

27% Of The U.s. Population Contend That Mormons ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

27% of the U.S. population contend that Mormons are not ...read more

Tags: Cults

42% Of All Music Listened To By Protestant Laity ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

42% of all music listened to by Protestant laity is Christian. ...read more

Tags: Culture

Undefiled Ears  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

"Undefiled Ears" The church that prolongs the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ has Christians who long to have undefiled ears. Isaiah 50:4-5 says, "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-5, Isaiah 50:4-10

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Missionary Had Arrived In A Small Chinese ...  PRO

Contributed by Danny Pinksen on Jun 28, 2001

A missionary had arrived in a small Chinese town. After she arrived, she soon noticed that a gang of bandits had just destroyed the little town and everything in it. Then a native Christian, showed the missionary the ruins of his home; a burnt roof and structure, and furniture, all turned to ashes. ...read more

Tags: Joy, Birth Of Jesus, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Holiness

A Holiday Celebrating Nothing  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 24, 2002

A HOLIDAY CELEBRATING NOTHING Several years ago, Foxnews.com reported that members of the Music Department at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania were busy creating a disc of holiday music from various religions and cultures because the traditional carols with their Christian message offended ...read more

Tags: Birth Of Jesus, Christmas

A Missionary Had Arrived In A Small Chinese Town. ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 20, 2008

A missionary had arrived in a small Chinese town. After she arrived, she soon noticed that a gang of bandits had just destroyed the little town and everything in it. Then a native Christian, showed the missionary the ruins of his home; a burnt roof and structure, and furniture, all turned to ashes. ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Missionary Had Arrived In A Small Chinese Town. ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 20, 2008

A missionary had arrived in a small Chinese town. After she arrived, she soon noticed that a gang of bandits had just destroyed the little town and everything in it. Then a native Christian, showed the missionary the ruins of his home; a burnt roof and structure, and furniture, all turned to ashes. ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The U.s. Religious Landscape Survey By The Pew ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Forum estimates the U.S. is 78% Christian and about to lose its status as a majority Protestant nation, at 51% and slipping. More than 25% of U.S. adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion. Factoring in moves ...read more

Tags: Faith

The Bible As Holy

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2009

THE BIBLE AS HOLY The Bible is deemed a holy book by 84% of the U.S. public. Although 84% of Barna Research respondents described themselves as Christian, 7% did not consider the Bible to be sacred, while 38% of adults who do not consider themselves Christian categorized it as such. Most ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1

Tags: Bible Truth

Types Of Preaching Found In The New Testament

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

Thomas Constable points out that there are 6 different kinds of preaching described in the New Testament: (1) kerugma, which means proclamation of the clear facts of the Christian message. (2) didache or teaching. This was explanation and interpretation of the facts-the "so what?" (3) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Tags: Church, Teaching, Preaching, Pastors, Homiletics, Teachers, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Respond Like Jesus

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 20, 2025

I think that God expects us to respond (not react) when the world pushes back like Jesus responded to the folks who were unable to see what He was doing. It won’t make sense. Here’s an example of what Peter’s teaching would look like in his day: “Peter is telling the Christian merchant in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Tags: Anger, Blessing Others

Denomination: Methodist