In Sermon Illustrations: "Besetting Sin"

The Auctioneer And The Old Violin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 20, 2020

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. ‘What am I bidden, good folks,’ he cried, ‘Who’ll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar,’ then ‘Two; Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, John 3:1-7

Tags: New Birth, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Redemption, Change, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pardoned Fugitive

Contributed by Roger Byrd on Jul 17, 2021

He was an unlikely criminal. In the difficult days after World War I, many veterans like Robert Elliot Burns had taken to “riding the rails” in search of work. A native of New Jersey, Burns had found the times very trying so when a friend told him of a job, he immediately agreed. The problem was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Tags: Pardon, Historical

Denomination: Baptist

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

The Touch of the Masters Hand Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:16-17

Tags: Salvation, New Creation In Christ, The Master, Anointing Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Building Of Busch Stadium, Skirting Rules.

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 16, 2022

In 1966 the St. Louis Cardinals built a new ballpark and named it Busch Memorial Stadium. There is a story that the owner of the Cardinals, August Busch, wanted to name it Budweiser Stadium, but the city officials would not allow him to name it after a beer. Frustrated by their answer, he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Human Nature, Ten Commandments

Denomination: Lutheran

The Marathon

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Oct 17, 2022

On Sunday, October 16, 2022 my daughter, aged 25, ran her first marathon – the Toronto Waterfront marathon. Though I’m currently living 3000 kms away in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada – I was there at the race to cheer her on. I was not prepared for the emotional intensity of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:14

Tags: Salvation, Perseverance, Gospel, Discipleship, The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[238]. A Message From A Poem – See Him Now

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 17, 2025

[238]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SEE HIM NOW This is a simple poem. It covers salvation and service. When Jesus was here people saw Him and heard Him as He spoke the eternal message but eyes were closed and ears were shut. The response to Jesus was the same response to Stephen – {{Acts 7:51 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51, Acts 7:57, John 5:24

Tags: Hear, Serve, See, Christian Poems, Praise, Take  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Was God A God Of Love In The Old Testament?

Contributed by Coz Von on Aug 27, 2017

The Davinci code will tell you that Jesus was married Mary. is it so? NO, NO, AND - mil times NO – NOT! But I want to show you that God did get married. Blasphemy, you say, NOT SO, It’s irreverent, sacrilegious – and not true But He really did! Hear me out. Long, long ago in a land far far away ...read more

Tags: Love, Hosea, Peace, Hope, Care, Hate, Kindness, Gomer, Love Story, Long Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Resolutions Of Jonathan Edwards  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jan 5, 2003

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Discipleship, New Year's Day

Denomination: Baptist

¿como Llegaste A Tu Desierto?

Contributed by Ruthie Velazquez-Paredes on Sep 22, 2020

Una de las cosas que motivó a escribir “¿Cómo Llegaste a tu Desierto?” es para exaltar lo que Dios ha hecho en mi vida y en la vida de otros al enfrentar momentos difíciles. ¿Cómo llegaste a tu desierto? En cierta ocasión quise sembrar un jardín de rosas al ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1, Acts 8:26

Tags: Procesos, Victoria En Las Pruebas, Temporadas, Motivacion, Desierto, Libro  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

The Three Ten Commandments

Contributed by Marc Heatherington on Aug 1, 2021

THE THREE TEN COMMANDMENTS By Marc Heatherington The Ten Commandments were given to Moses three times. The first time, the Ten Commandments were first spoken by God in Exodus 20:1-17. And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 31:18, Exodus 34:1-4, Exodus 20:1-17

Tags: Ten Commandments, Picture Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

One Of The Most Incredible Stories Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 13, 2001

ILL. One of the most incredible stories of forgiveness I’ve ever heard came out of Tulsa, OK, a couple of years ago. Tom McGee was a young man who went out for a night of partying & revelry. He got drunk & ran head-on into a car driven by a young man by the name of Ted Morris. He killed Ted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Leviticus 19:17-18, Romans 12:17-21, Matthew 18:21-22, Jonah 4:1-10, Matthew 18:23-35  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Cross Agony, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dostoevsky And The Firing Squad  PRO

Contributed by David Simmons on Feb 22, 2002

DOSTOEVSKY AND THE FIRING SQUAD The famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky told the story of the time he was arrested by the czar and sentenced to die. The czar, though, liked to play cruel psychological tricks on the people who rebelled against him by blindfolding them and standing them in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Fulfillment, Death Nearness

Denomination: Baptist

But Before That...  PRO

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Jul 7, 2002

BUT BEFORE THAT... In 1992, when our own Govenor, Kirk Fordice stated unreservedly “America is a Christian nation” the response bordered on hysteria. But before that -- Congress, declared 1983 to be the “Year of the Bible” — stating that the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Psalm 33:12

Tags: Kingdom Of God, America, Freedom, History, Heritage, July, Independence, Independence Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Willing To Die  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jul 21, 2002

WILLING TO DIE Lance Armstrong is a phenomenal cyclist who has won the Tour De France for the last four years--and that after having survived cancer! One of the keys to his success as an athlete has been his single-minded devotion to training, including a willingness to suffer physically, to push ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Tags: Endurance, Discipleship, Lord's Supper

Denomination: Baptist

Does Anyone Know What That Piece In The Middle Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Glenn Newton on May 3, 2005

Does anyone know what that piece in the middle of the washer is called? The part in the middle that moves back and forth and shakes the clothes back and forth? What is that called? I’m going to call it an Agitator…. What is the purpose of the Agitator? As far as I can tell, it sole purpose is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Nazarene

Moral Choices: New Barna Research Finds Many ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Moral Choices: New Barna research finds many adults attitudes conflict with the moral positions of their faith. On abortion, 41% of all adults stated that it should be legal in all or almost all circumstances and 55% said it should not be legal under any circumstances or only in a few special ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

The Power Of Godly Hope

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 23, 2006

*King Duncan tells the story that reminds us of the power of this hope. This happened in 1993, to a man named Terry Stout. Terry was the business manager for the Psychiatry Department at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. *One Fall morning Terry was running a little late, but (I’m sure led by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Hebrews 6:17-20

Tags: Despair, Salvation, Suicide, Godly Hope, Hope, Power Of God's Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stats On Grace

Contributed by John Shearhart on Aug 14, 2006

STATS ON GRACE How many gallons of water are in the ocean? Answer: 3.612 x 10²º gallons of sea water in the ocean. That is 3.612 x 1 with 21 zeros. How many stars are in the known universe? Answer: 70 sextillion (7 followed by 22 zeros) was calculated by a team of stargazers based at the ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

The Methodist Class Meeting Was Much Like The ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Oct 14, 2006

The Methodist Class Meeting was much like the Giant Sequoia Trees in California. Just like the Methodist Class Meeting, the Great Sequoias “hold each other up.” They may reach a height of 311 feet, an age of 3200 years. They often weigh 2.7 million pounds. Their bark on the average is 31 inches ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Methodist

Charles Fuller Was A Radio Bible Teacher Years ...

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Dec 11, 2006

Charles Fuller was a radio Bible teacher years ago. He once announced that he would be speaking the following Sunday on the topic of “Heaven.” During that week, he received a letter from an elderly gentleman who was very ill—on his deathbed. The man wrote: “Next Sunday you are to talk about ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible