In Sermon Illustrations: "Becoming Finished"

Commitment

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Kenneth Bailey tells the story of teaching some short courses at the Lutheran Church of Latvia. While there, he observed the interviewing of prospective students and inquired of the interviews what questions they asked. They said, “The most important question is ‘When were you baptized?’ And he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Tags: Risk, Boldness

Denomination: Methodist

Anxiety And Relationships

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 27, 2020

Anxiety can be the ruin or the salvation of our relationships. It is an alarm mechanism. It alerts us to potential danger. But sometimes it goes off too often or quickly. Sometimes we do not seem able to regulate it. Shocked, we lash out, hold our ground, or retreat. However, anxiety can be our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Anxiety, Relationships

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

King Ahasureus Did Not Have A Beauty Contest

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 21, 2023

Knowing the king’s strong sensual appetite, the counselors suggested that he assemble a new harem composed of the most beautiful young virgins in the empire. This was not a “beauty contest” where the winners were rewarded by having a chance for the throne. These young women were conscripted against ...read more

Tags: Esther, Lust, Israel, King, Sensuality  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Story Of The Telltale Heart

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 7, 2023

Do you remember Edgar Allen Poe's story, ... The Telltale Heart? In that story, ... the main character committed a murder ... and he buries the body of the victim ...in his basement. Yet ... the murderer is unable to escape the haunting guilt... of his deed. He begins to hear...... the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Tags: Heart, Guilt, Haunt

Denomination: Anglican

Sin Is Sin It Leads To Death No Matter How It Isillustrated.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 25, 2024

We the Church need to be aware of the danger there is from those who prophecy falsely, there is a great push within Christian circles to accept people's immorality in the name of God’s love, and grace. Sin remains sin, those of us who have repented of our sins know the release and joy that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41, 2 Corinthians 5:15

Tags: Grace, Acceptance, Salvation, Joy, Power, Redemption, Denial, Punishment, Repentence, Recrucifying Christ, Immorality, Danger, False Teachers, Release, Sanctification, Regeneration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Moving Mountains A Figure Of Speech

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

The imagery of a mountain is HYPERBOLE. Zechariah 4:7a, “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubabel you shall become a plain.” "The Jews used to set out those teachers among them, that were more eminent for the profoundness of their learning, or the splendour of their virtues, by such ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:23, Matthew 17:20-21

Tags: Mountains, Hyperbole, Moving Moutains

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Building A Relationship With God (Running The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 19, 2009

Building a Relationship with God (Running the Race) It was the summer before my Senior year at Jamestown College. I had taken up riding my bike several times a week and had gotten up to riding 10-20 miles in a single go. Needless to say… I was feeling pretty good about myself. So when school ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Tags: Sports

How Many Coughs Is Enough For One Day

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 2, 2023

This past week started rather rough. At least rougher than others. It started with a cough. A cough is not that serious if it's just one cough or maybe two. But it is not good when it is one cough after another and another. One day last week, right after this coughing spell began, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:12

Tags: Physician, Sick, Medical

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then It’s Monday… Again

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 26, 2025

I'm not sure if it's just me getting old or something altogether different. Time seems to go by fast. My father used to say, "The older you get the faster time goes." I'm finally beginning to understand what he meant by that. At the time, I laughed at him and didn't ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15

Tags: Time, Monday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Gift Of The Heart

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat." - Author Unknown His name was Justin Timion. He was only nineteen years old the day it happened. A good looking, fun loving kid, he loved doing auto mechanics with his Dad and often used his skills to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 13:20

Tags: Life, Giving Generous, Big Heart

Denomination: Charismatic

Baby Steps!" Numbers 33: 1-49 Key Verse(S): 2a: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 29, 2004

“Baby Steps!” Numbers 33: 1-49 Key verse(s): 2a: “At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey . . .” I opened up the paper the other day and there staring me right in the face was a “huge success.” The newspaper was focusing on people who had made it; you know, those who ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 33:1-49

Tags: Gifts General

Denomination: Lutheran

[016] A Message From A Poem - All Glory Honour And Praise Be To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

[016] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALL GLORY HONOUR AND PRAISE BE TO THE LORD {{Revelation 4:10-11 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “WORTHY ARE YOU, OUR LORD ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Revelation 5:11-14, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Honor, Glory, Praise, Honour, Worthy Is The Lamb, Names Of The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[295]. A Message From A Poem – Love/Serve One Another As I Have Loved You

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 23, 2026

[295]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOVE/SERVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU I wrote half this poem waiting in the waiting rooms of the hearing/ hearing aid place then finished it at home. When I wrote this poem a couple of days ago I began with the idea of the appearance of peace as what we see ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 6:7-8

Tags: Hurting People, Serve, One Another, Inner Turmoil, Christian Poems, Hurting Inside, Hurt, Comfort, Gossip, Blame  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Babies In The Manger?  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 23, 2002

2 babies in the manger? In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

In 1994, Two Americans Answered An Invitation ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 12, 2004

In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Parental Sayings

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 19, 2022

God’s Parental Sayings The point of today’s message revolves around Jesus being the Son of God and what that means for us. That got me thinking about sayings we have all heard from our parents and things we never thought we would say. I wondered, what might God have said to Jesus… Him being His ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1

Tags: Jesus, God The Father, Parental Sayings

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jewish Weddings Are A Portrait Of The Last Days

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 2, 2023

When a Jewish man found a woman he liked (and most times his father would pick one out for him) he would approach the young lady with a marriage contract (a covenant). In the contract were laid out the legal terms in which he would propose marriage. The most important part of this contract was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Revelation, Church, Israel, End Times, Last Days, Rapture, Bride Of Christ, Weddings  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Day, While My Family Was Shopping At Lowes ...  PRO

Contributed by Bryan Mcnair on Jun 7, 2005

One day, while my family was shopping at Lowes Home Improvement store, I was showing my little girl, Lauren, some of the large area rugs rolled up on the floor. I told her that we needed one that could fit perfectly in our living room. As we looked at different styles and colors, I came upon one ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:25

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Baptist

There Is Rarely A Week That Goes By When I Don't ...

Contributed by Tim Richards on Sep 3, 2005

There is rarely a week that goes by when I don’t make a hospital visit. Because I visit the hospital so frequently, I will admit that after a few weeks have passed most hospital visits sort of fade from my memory. However, I want to finish up this morning by telling you about a hospital visit I ...read more

Tags: Death Nearness

Denomination: Baptist

In His Book Sons: A Father's Love Bob Carlisle ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 18, 2006

In his book Sons: a Father’s Love Bob Carlisle shares this incident that happened with his Father. “When I was 12, a surprising thing happened. Dad asked me to go fishing with him. He was a busy executive, rarely around on weekends. We got along but never had a serious conversation unless I was ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Methodist