In Sermon Illustrations: "Better Body"

When I First Came To Reno To Start A Church, Now ...

Contributed by James Wallace on Nov 12, 2009

When I first came to Reno to start a church, now about 22 years ago, my church planting advisors pointed me toward two men, two pastors who had had an extremely positive and successful experience in their church planting experiences. They had both planted churches in the past decade which had ...read more

Tags: False Teaching

Denomination: Bible Church

God Knows Where We Are  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 23, 2011

GOD KNOWS WHERE WE ARE Ken Gaub wrote about an experience he had back in the 1990s: "Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you’re doing every minute of the day? I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago. "At the time I was driving ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Tags: God's Omniscience, Love Your Enemies

What’s Pete Got To Do With Anything?

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 20, 2021

If there's anybody that can be conned, it's Yours Truly. It's not so much that I'm stupid; I'm just naïve. I believe when somebody says something, they mean exactly what they say. So, if you can't swindle me, you might as well hang it up and get a real job. I must ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-13

Tags: Blame, Accusations

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

In His Book The Renew Mind (Bethany House, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In his book The Renew Mind (Bethany House, 1981), Larry Christiansen tells a story that is a perfect illustration for our sermon text for today. I’d like for you to imagine that you live in a run down apartment. As I describe this, I actually picture in my mind my apartment in St. Paul I shared ...read more

Tags: Jesus Temptation

As I Was Growing Up With A Younger Brother And ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Goble on Oct 30, 2007

As I was growing up with a younger brother and sister, one of our favorite games to play was baseball. We had a plastic bat and ball, and we would team up with some of the neighborhood kids and play ball in the back yard. On one particular occasion my mom took our bat away from us because we were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-21

Tags: Forgiveness, Blood, Satan, Giving, Selfless, Care, Regeneration, Sacrificial, Young Men, Fear Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Go With The Flow  PRO

Contributed by Hal Seed on Feb 12, 2008

6. YOU TRUST HIM WITH WHATEVER IS TROUBLING YOU. Anybody having anything trouble you these days? It’s probably part of God’s sense of humor that I went on a whale-watching trip this week, the week we start learning about Jonah. PICTURE OF WHALE TALE I’ve been on whale-watching tours only twice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-19

Tags: Authority

Denomination: Baptist

Go With The Flow

Contributed by Hal Seed on Feb 12, 2008

6. YOU TRUST HIM WITH WHATEVER IS TROUBLING YOU. Anybody having anything trouble you these days? It’s probably part of God’s sense of humor that I went on a whale-watching trip this week, the week we start learning about Jonah. PICTURE OF WHALE TALE I’ve been on whale-watching tours only twice ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Baptist

Recently, I Sat Down With A Young Man Who Was ...

Contributed by Hal Seed on Oct 3, 2008

Recently, I sat down with a young man who was having a tough time with the way he was thinking about life. “I hate this world,” he said. “I don’t like being with people. I don’t trust very many people. I don’t respect America. I think Americans are all self-indulgent materialists.” And then he ...read more

Tags: Revelation

Denomination: Baptist

Some Thoughts On Forgiveness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

SOME THOUGHTS ON FORGIVENESS Bernard Meltzer was a United States radio host for several decades. His advice call-in show was called "What's Your Problem?" Meltzer said, "When you forgive, you in no way change the past--but you sure do change the future." ------- Mark Twain had some sour thoughts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Tags: Forgiveness General

The Misconception Of A New Year

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 31, 2022

Christmas is the best time of the year, especially when it involves family. It's the one time of the year that families get together to celebrate together. Of course, at least from my perspective, it is also the most hectic time of the year. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has an ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Reality, New Year

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I’d Rather Kiss A Goat

Contributed by James Snyder on May 15, 2023

There are very few things in my life I regret; at least that I can remember. One of the good things about getting old is that you can forget many things. The important thing is to forget the right thing, which is a challenge. You can be sure I work on this all the time. It takes a really good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:36-37

Tags: Kiss, Goat, Accountability, Excuses

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then It All Came To An End

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 28, 2024

Time has a way of getting ahead of me. Just when I think I’ve caught up, I find out I was wrong. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were sitting down, relaxing after a wonderful Christmas activity with all the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. It was a wonderful time, but with my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Christmas, Time, New Years

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[195]. Message From A Poem – Not In Degrees Or Pedigrees But On Your Knees

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 10, 2025

[195]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NOT IN DEGREES OR PEDIGREES BUT ON YOUR KNEES One thing that used to frustrate me in teaching was to see really good teachers who did not get recognition because they did not have a string of degrees. The Education Department thinks the more qualifications, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:4-8, Acts 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Apostle Peter, Poison, Equipped, Qualifications, Academic Degrees, Pedigrees, Holy Spirit, Pride, Appointment, Ability  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Old Is Not As Bad As I Thought

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 6, 2026

Dr. James L. Snyder I was celebrating and eating an Apple Fritter. I'm not sure what I was celebrating at the time, but it doesn't matter as long as I'm celebrating with an Apple Fritter. Life has its way of opening up doors of celebration. While I was in this celebratory mood, I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:29

Tags: Old Age, Grey Hair

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[175]. A Message From A Poem – Bema – The Judgement Seat Of Christ

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 22, 2025

[175]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEMA – THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST What do Christians think of the judgement that is coming for Christians that is outlined in these very telling verses? – {{1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 John 2:28, Revelation 4:10-11, Matthew 10:42, Revelation 22:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Heaven, Judgment, Cup Of Cold Water, Bema, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Judged, Shame, Penalty, Judge, Rewards, Ashamed, Reward  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[323]. A Message From A Poem - Vanitas Vanitatum – Part 1 Of 3

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 27, 2026

[323]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - VANITAS VANITATUM – PART 1 of 3 This poem begins with the story of a man who is committed to so many things but in the end he became worn out and finally could not find fulfillment in what he was doing. He began to despair and could not see the purpose of life. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, 1 Timothy 6:7, Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 2:11, Ecclesiastes 10:1, Ecclesiastes 9:13-18, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Vanity, Wisdom, Despair, Foolishness, Folly, Under The Sun, Remember Your Creator, Vanity Of Vanities, Vanitas Vanitatum, Christian Poems, An Appointed Time, Under Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Memories Of A Magnificent Man

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Jun 12, 2017

My father was born in 1911. His older brother, his only sibling, had already died. His father died two years later. In that era no government programs existed to provide for them, so his mother, an Irish immigrant, moved in with his paternal grandparents. His grandfather was a blacksmith, and his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3

Tags: Parenting, Legacy, Fatherhood

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Atheist Defends Evangelism In Africa

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 30, 2008

AN ATHEIST DEFENDS EVANGELISM IN AFRICA I would like to conclude by reading you an article – that Andrew sent to me - from the Sunday Times dated 27th December 2008 written by Matthew Parris: December 27, 2008 (full article) As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God Missionaries, not aid ...read more

Tags: Christian Witness

Denomination: Anglican

Animals And Colors In The Bible

Contributed by Pastor Cosmos on Jan 13, 2011

ANIMALS AND COLORS IN THE BIBLE The Bible to teach us to interperet the Bible by using the the Bible to interperet itself Isaiah 28:9-10 "9Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10For precept ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Charismatic

[344]. A Message From A Poem - Why, Lord, Why? The Lament For My Birds

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 1, 2026

[344]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WHY, LORD, WHY? THE LAMENT FOR MY BIRDS This poem is in blank verse because I just did not feel like any rhyme. It is written “as is”, just giving out my feeling. I very rarely write blank verse; I think maybe 2 or 3 times. The subject is about the terror of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1, Jonah 4:6, Romans 8:20-22

Tags: Compassion, Understanding, Lament, Sorrow, Cunning, Unfairness, Snakes, Finches, Brown Tree Snake, Boiga Irregularis, Evil Snake, Sly, Night Tiger, Snake Of Satan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational