In Sermon Illustrations: "Better Body"

Who Are You Rescuing?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2010

WHO ARE YOU RESCUING? Jesus, help us to control our desires. May a thirst for knowing You and a longing to please You become our strongest passion, like it was for Mary Frances Housley. Let me tell you a true story. MARY FRANCES HOUSLEY was born October 12, 1926 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She grew ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Raising The Dead

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Apr 12, 2012

RAISING THE DEAD Easter Services are supposed to be focused on Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Yesterday, the members of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Wagoner, OK, got an object lesson to go along with the sermon. Just before the services were to begin, the Sunday School Director, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Jesus Need To Be Baptized?  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 3, 2013

Why would Jesus need to be baptized by John? Well... Jesus' baptism by John was the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Mark 1:1 starts out: "The BEGINNING of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" and then Mark starts telling us about Jesus' baptism by John. In Luke 3:23 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-15

Tags: High Priest, Water Baptism, Jesus' Ministry, Baptism, Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Running Past The Red Flags

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.” - Doug Larson The house looked like a fairy tale come true. Though my friend had a nagging feeling about the owners, she ignored it and went to inspect the house. It was spacious and full of sunshine with a big ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Wisdom, Caution, Lack Wisdom

Denomination: Charismatic

Grandma's Hands

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 23, 2016

Grandma’s Hands When I stand at the graveside for an elderly person, I think about the life they have lived, that dash between the birth date and date of death. I think about all they have seen, all they have experienced. And I think about this story that is told: Grandma, some 90+ years, sat ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8

Tags: Hands, Graveside

Denomination: Baptist

[017] A Message From A Poem - Altogether Lovely One

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

[017] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALTOGETHER LOVELY ONE There are times when we feel our hearts going out in worship to our Lord. What is the difference between praise and worship? This is not a sermon so I won’t be answering that question here, but I hope you think on it and that it might warm ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11, Isaiah 53:3-4, Psalm 150:1-3

Tags: Worship, Praise, Gold, Magi, Sorrow, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lovely One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[035] A Message From A Poem – Beware The Fowler

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 25, 2025

[035] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEWARE THE FOWLER GOTCHA! We hear that in children’s play and in some games. In fact I think there may have even been a board game in the 1950s with that title. Have you ever watched a spider on its web sitting there silently and an insect becomes ensnared in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 124:7-8, Psalm 91:3

Tags: Pitcher Plant, Spider Web, God Delivers Us, Caught, Fowler, Trapper, Ensnared, Gotcha  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[216]. A Message From A Poem - Place The Lord Always In Your Focus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2025

[216]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PLACE THE LORD ALWAYS IN YOUR FOCUS Placing the Lord always in your focus means having Him as THE priority in your life. So often we ask Jesus to share our priorities but it must not be like that. We have many priorities over our lifetimes. Sometimes work must ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Matthew 22:37, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Priorities, Focus, First, Priority, Christian Poems, Jesus Is Number 1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[241]. A Message From A Poem – Some Thoughts From Ephesians 1

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 21, 2025

[241]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SOME THOUGHTS FROM EPHESIANS 1 Ephesians is the most doctrinal book in the New Testament along with Romans. There is so much in Ephesians that it is a gold mine with more and more veins the further down you go. In this poem I took some of the marvellous teaching ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-7

Tags: Kind Intention, Adoption, Predestined, Inheritance, Heavenly Places, Spiritual Blessings, Christian Poems, Grace, Glory, Salvation, Redemption  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just Plain Old Ron

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 3, 2026

The lad who led me to church was married to Rhonda. This created some confusion for his four year old son. When he would see me he'd say, "Hi, Rhonda." I would correct him, but it never clicked. One day I emphasized it by saying, "Ron, just plain old Ron." Next time I saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:17-18, Acts 13:9-10

Tags: Faith, Church, Persecution, Humility, Pride, Education, Decline, Titles, Names  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Following Words Come From The Language Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 24, 2002

The following words come from THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE, by Gary Smalley and John Trent: His leaving had been abrupt and unforeseen. His wife had come home from shopping one day and found the note on the refrigerator. The words were brief and cold. He was tired of trying to make their marriage work. He ...read more

Tags: Divorce, Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Other Woman By David ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 27, 2010

THE OTHER WOMAN by David Farrell. Prov. 23:22 - "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." After 21 years of marriage, I’ve discovered a new way of keeping the spark of love and intimacy alive in my relationship with my wife: I’ve recently started ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:22

Tags: Mother's Day, Honor Parents

[297]. A Poem Message – The Wisdom Of The World Is Foolishness With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 26, 2026

[297]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD IS FOOLISHNESS WITH GOD {{1 Corinthians 1:26-28 “Consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, but GOD HAS CHOSEN THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE WISE, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-8, Colossians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21, 1 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Poems, Wisdom Of God, Foolish Things, Universities, The Foolishness Of Man, Wisdom Of The World, Christian Poetry, Vain, Wisdom, Philosophy, Foolishness, Humanism, Gnosticism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kurt Cobain Died About 8 Years Ago. I Remember ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Weber on Mar 23, 2001

Kurt Cobain died about 8 years ago. I remember the day I picked up the newspaper and read about it. He was the founder and lead singer of the rock group "Nirvana." His death was a suicide. He took a shotgun, pointed it to his head, and killed himself. The newspaper was filled with the words of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Tags: Hope, God Brings Purpose, God Brings Hope, Meaning, Self-Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It’s Difficult To Find Beauty In Death. ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 18, 2001

It’s difficult to find beauty in death. It’s even more difficult to find beauty in a death camp. Especially Auschwitz. Four million Jews died there in World War II. A half-ton of human hair is still preserved. The showers that sprayed poison gas still stand. But for all the ugly memories of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Joy, Christian Disciplines, Cross Agony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lake Moses Washington, Friday, May 24, 1985. 1:oo ...  PRO

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Nov 4, 2002

LAKE MOSES WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1985. 1:OO AM I rolled and tossed in bed, feeling uneasy about our son John and his family who are missionaries in South Africa. PRAY! the command I sensed was urgent. Now I am wide awake sending passionate pleas to heaven. Please Lord, help John and ...read more

Tags: Prayer Supplication, Prayer General

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A Patter?" 2 Timothy 4:11 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 8, 2005

“Are You A Patter?” 2 Timothy 4:11 Key verse(s) 11:“Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” Everyone seems to have a purpose; but what is mine? Do you sometimes wonder just what your calling in life is? For some it seems pretty obvious. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:11

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

Are We There Yet? (06.28.05--Direction--John ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 27, 2005

Are We There Yet? (06.28.05--Direction--John 21:11-14 ) WHen I’m There, will I know that I am there? When we finally reach that point in life where all things finally work together and we’ve arrived at our life’s goal, that place where the many years of education, accumulated wisdom and just plain ...read more

Scripture: John 21:11-14

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Lutheran

Let Go Of That Balloon! (07.08.05--Joy Every ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 6, 2005

Let Go of That Balloon! (07.08.05--Joy Every Day--Ecclesiastes 11:1-6) Carpe diem! Engraved in the keystone of the old fellowship hall I passed every day on my way to the office, I had glanced at it countless times. But on this particular day, with my youngest daughter in the car, her question ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

Thin Slices! (07.15.05--Tomorrow--Deuteronomy ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 13, 2005

Thin Slices! (07.15.05--Tomorrow--Deuteronomy 29:29) Did you ever notice how at least having just a taste of something, a little hint or just a brief encounter with what we were anticipating, can be so much fun? I know a lot about anticipation. Being a bird watcher for many years, I am familiar ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:29

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Lutheran