In Sermon Illustrations: "Becoming The Church"

Michael Gerard

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 28, 2009

Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson (born June 30, 1966) was the undisputed heavyweight champion and remains the youngest man ever to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles. He won the WBC title at just 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old, after defeating Trevor Berbick by a TKO in the second ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

U.s. News And World Report In Dec. Of 2004 Did A ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 12, 2010

U.S. News and World Report in Dec. of 2004 did a magazine focusing on the power of prayer: Jeffrey L. Shelter wrote in his article, "The Power of Prayer, on pages 52, 53) "A pierced and tattooed man quietly bows his head at a noisy lunch counter. A child in pink pajamas kneels at her bedside and ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Did The Father Will The Death Of His Only ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on May 12, 2010

Why did the Father will the death of his only beloved Son, and in so painful and shameful a form? Because the Father had “laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). Jesus’ death was vicarious (undergone in our place) and atoning (securing remission of sins for us and reconciliation to God). ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Beer Commercials And Community

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 28, 2010

BEER COMMERCIALS AND COMMUNITY Beer commercials do not really sell beer. Have you seen how they really sell "living it up with others" or what Christians call "community"? Do they not sell good looking people partying with other good looking people? Even the losers in those commercials all of a ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Power Vs. Our Power

Contributed by Douglas Stull on Dec 4, 2010

GOD'S POWER VS. OUR POWER "Millions for defense and not a penny for tribute." I learned what that quote meant while in the Army. I was assigned, as were all junior officers In the 82d Aiborne Division, to escort Generals and Colonels from the parking lot to a set of bleachers located in a ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Brethren

Fallen Human Nature  PRO

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Feb 20, 2011

FALLEN HUMAN NATURE The fate of the women from Judges 19 touches the most troubling question of our modern time. Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel describe the most traumatic memory of his life, a scene from the year 1945, when he and his family were sent to the concentration camp by the German ...read more

Tags: Apologetics God

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Minor Detail, A Major Distraction

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

A MINOR DETAIL, A MAJOR DISTRACTION Anything that hinders the worship of God incites the anger of God, and should be abandoned immediately. "It was a majestic evening. On Friday, October 18th, 1991, the world-class Chicago Symphony presented the final concert in its year-long celebration of the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Tags: Worship Purpose

Victor Or Victim—the Case Of Robert Reed  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2011

VICTOR OR VICTIM--THE CASE OF ROBERT REED If ever there was a person who could have offered Jesus an excuse, Robert Reed would be that person. His hands are twisted and His feet are useless. He can’t bathe himself. He can’t feed himself. He can’t brush his teeth, comb his hair or put on his ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, Matthew 5:44-48

Tags: Preaching, Christian Witness

The New ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2012

THE NEW STUDENT Wendy has the typical dreams owned by the typical High School students. She wants to make friends, she wants to join some clubs, she wants to become a cheerleader, and ultimately wants to graduate and make a living for herself and her future family. There’s only one problem however. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Lies

If I Am The Only ...

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 18, 2012

Illustration: What would you do if you were the only Christian in your circle of influence? If you are the only Christian in the shop, the store, or the office where you work, a peculiar: responsibility rests upon you, a responsibility which no other one shares with you. You are Christ's only ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Witnessing, Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Obedience Of Gladys Aylward

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 23, 2013

THE OBEDIENCE OF GLADYS AYLWARD Gladys Aylward, missionary to China, during the 1930s as a young woman she left her home in England and sailed to China. Here she opened a home for orphaned children who'd been left to starve or wander the streets. When the Japanese invaded China, Gladys was forced ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Brethren

Rockefeller's Giving  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 17, 2013

ROCKEFELLER'S GIVING The very first person to reach the status of billionaire was a man who knew how to set goals and follow through. At the age of 23, Rockefeller had become a millionaire, by the age of 50 a billionaire. Every decision, attitude, and relationship was tailored to create his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:8

Tags: Giving, Missions Giving, Giving General, Principles Of Giving

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sheep Don't Wallow

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

A little lamb and his mother passed the pig pen every day on their way to the pasture. The lamb looked longingly at the pigs wallowing in the mire, and he asked his mother if he could go and play in the mud. She’d say, “No, sheep don’t wallow.” But he would look over at those pigs in that mud. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:20-22

Tags: Sin, Apostasy, Backsliding

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Floating Pumpkins

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Satan will use the same type of tactics that hunters use in Africa. The story is told of a certain African tribe that learned an easy way to capture ducks in a river. Catching their agile and wary dinner would be a feat indeed, so these hunters formulated a plan. The tribesmen learned to go ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 5:6-9

Tags: Sin, Deception, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Sexual Sins  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

7 Ways To Build Self-Control

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

To be self-controlled is to restrain ourselves by not giving in to our depraved desires. We can say “no” when everything in us is saying “yes” for all the wrong reasons. We deny worldly lusts when we withhold our consent from them and when we refuse the delight they suggest. God will give us the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Temptation, Character, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When C.i. Scofield Met Jesus

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 14, 2023

Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, "I've often wanted to ask you a question, but I've been afraid to do so." "What do you want to know?" asked the lawyer. The man replied, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Evangelism, Sin, Salvation, Gospel, Alcohol, Adam, Witnessing, Drunkenness, Sinful Nature, Sinners  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blueprints For Your Children’s Character

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 15, 2020

There is a Minister who received an urgent note that said that a man in his congregation wanted to get a hold of him. The man’s problems have been 10 years in the making but have become urgent when the consequences of neglect suddenly materialized. The minister met the man at his office. He was a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 7:9

Tags: Children, Parenting, Blueprints

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[259]. A Message From A Poem – The Cold Frosty Night Reveals The Dawn

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[259]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE COLD FROSTY NIGHT REVEALS THE DAWN The cold, frosty night is this current existence in the world where Christians live and are waiting for their Lord to come. The dawn is the coming of the Lord. A number of people correctly see this coming for the Church and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Luke 12:32, 1 John 3:2

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The World Is Getting Worse, Cold Nights, Frosty Nights, Love, Second Coming, Misery, Dawn, Waiting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Will, With God's Help

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP I read a marvelous story remembered by Reverend Mary Moore Roberson. She writes: "Some years ago, I served on the lay staff of my home parish under the supervision of the priest charged with pastoral care. Barbara took to appearing, first at the door to his office and ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Bob Russell Shared That Several Months Before ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

*Bob Russell shared that several months before they moved into their new church building in 1998, their ministry staff met at the new site for a special staff meeting. Most of the building still wasn’t carpeted, and some of the rooms still had no drywall. They handed out hard hats, magic markers, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ