In Sermon Illustrations: "Better Life"

Do All Roads Lead To God?

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: Jesus is the only one way to heaven. Verse: Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). Illustration: I once heard someone say, “All religions ultimately lead to God.” But, think about this question logically. ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Religious Beliefs, Evangelism

Denomination: Charismatic

Several Years Ago Now There Was A Television Show ...

Contributed by Joe La Rue on Mar 11, 2008

Several years ago now there was a television show called That Seventies Show. Perhaps some of you have seen it. While the credits ran each week as the show opened, the cast was shown sitting in the car that belonged to the main character on the show. And the entire cast sang a song about hanging ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Several Years Ago Now There Was A Television Show ...

Contributed by Joe La Rue on Mar 11, 2008

Several years ago now there was a television show called That Seventies Show. Perhaps some of you have seen it. While the credits ran each week as the show opened, the cast was shown sitting in the car that belonged to the main character on the show. And the entire cast sang a song about hanging ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In His Alpha Talk "What About The Church," Nicky ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Mar 30, 2008

In his Alpha Talk “What About the Church,” Nicky Gumbel tells this story about John Wimber, the founding pastor of the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship and the Worldwide Vineyard Movement: “John Wimber was once approached by a member of his congregation who had met somebody in great need. ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Methodist

As Clayton J. Schmit Put It In His Commentary On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 31, 2008

As Clayton J. Schmit put it in his commentary on our text, “The moment of birth is one of unspeakable joy. Yet, if parents stopped to count the cost of taking a child home (which, fortunately, they never do) they might be tempted to turn the gift down. The cost of baby food and diapers, sleepless ...read more

In The Ultimate Obedience Depicted In 1 Peter 4:1 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

In the ultimate obedience depicted in 1 Peter 4:1 Believers who have died have ceased from sin will have entered into an eternal condition of holy perfection, free from all sin’s influences and effects (cf. 1 Cor. 15:42–43; 2 Cor. 5:1; Rev. 21:4; 22:14–15). SAFELY HOME I am home in Heaven, dear ...read more

Tags: Death

Don't Tell Me, Show Me

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Apr 18, 2008

DON'T TELL ME, SHOW ME The young woman was married and had two beautiful children. But one day as she was standing over the sink, washing dishes, she thought 'There must be more to life than this.' When her husband came home, he found a note she'd written and began to weep. She would call him ...read more

Tags: Action

Denomination: Baptist

I've Been Reading A Book By A Pastor Named Erwin ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 22, 2008

I've been reading a book by a pastor named Erwin Rafael McManus. He tells about a conversation he had with his daughter, Mariah. He was explaining that Christians often face danger and even death. His daughter asked, "Has anyone ever tried to kill you, Daddy?" And he answered, "Sort of." She ...read more

Tags: Self

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Identifies With Our Suffering

Contributed by Bruce Montgomery on Apr 28, 2008

IDENTIFIES WITH OUR SUFFERING His name was Joseph Damien, and you’ve probably heard his story before, but it bears repeating. A Belgian priest, he was sent in 1873 to minister to lepers in Hawaii. As soon as he arrived on Molokai, he began trying to build friendships with the residents of the ...read more

Tags: Suffering, Submit, Why Suffering, Suffering Joy In

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Hands Of Ordinary Christians, Small Social ...

Contributed by Stephen Evoy on May 11, 2008

In the hands of ordinary Christians, small social groups are a big spiritual deal. This is because "ordinary Christians" have more credibility than the ordained clergy. A guy named Herb Miller did some great research: * When first-time visitors to a local church receive a "glad you came" visit ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Free Methodist

Some Early Settlers Were Traveling Together ...

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 14, 2008

Some EARLY SETTLERS were traveling together across the western prairies of the United States. One day they were horrified to see a fire fanned by strong wind coming their way. As the flames raced closer and closer, one man, to the amazement of the others, set fire to a large patch of grass ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A Weed?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 31, 2008

ARE YOU A WEED? I would like to tell you a story about how a little girl helped the neighbor bully change his ways. The bully's name was Todd; his parents were divorced, and he was left to fend for himself. He's rude, and for an eight-year-old he can swear pretty good. When he comes over to ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Jesus Said In John 13: 35, "Your Love For One ...

Contributed by Jerry Blaxton on Aug 3, 2008

Jesus said in John 13: 35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” A great New Testament example of this being done is in the early church. As Jews began to put their faith in Christ as the Messiah, they began to feel the effects of hostility toward them. They ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Baptist

Victoriously Living Over The Flesh  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Victoriously Living Over the Flesh Romans 8:12-14, "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-14

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Iceberg Anger

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 23, 2008

Iceberg Anger Do you know what you are feeling? Can you identify why you are feeling the way you are? This is so huge and complicated that it often takes years of intentional effort to figure these things out. And the more messed up we are, the longer and harder and more painful it can be. An ...read more

Tags: Emotions

Denomination: Church Of God

According To Tradition, This Is How An Eskimo ...

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 13, 2008

According to tradition, this is how an Eskimo hunter kills a wolf. First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. He then adds layer after layer of blood until the blade is completely concealed by the frozen blood. Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Sin Wages Of

When I Was In High School Go-Cart Tracks Were A ...

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on Oct 27, 2008

When I was in high school Go-cart tracks were a fad. A friend of mine named Steve went to the local go-cart track a couple of times a week. One crucial fact about high school boys and go-carts: teen age boys will go as fast as that go-cart can possibly go every time. Combine that with the fact that ...read more

Tags: Money

Denomination: United Methodist

Have Any Of You Read The Book, The Worst-Case ...

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 19, 2008

Have any of you read the book, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht? It’s a great little yellow book that describes all sorts of ways to get out of even life-threatening situations. Here’s how they describe getting free from an alligator: How to Wrestle ...read more

Tags: Peace

Denomination: Wesleyan

Be Truthful - You Sometimes Root For The ...

Contributed by Bob Gillchrest on Dec 8, 2008

Be truthful - you sometimes root for the underdog, don’t you? Whether it’s football, baseball, or basketball; whether it’s college ball or professional players, you root for the underdog, don’t you? I do too. Except maybe if it’s the home team. These days it seems like if we’re rooting for the ...read more

Tags: Sports

Denomination: Baptist

Father Forgive Them

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

FATHER FORGIVE THEM There was once a man who was born in a little town back east. He grew up and took on the family business. The only earthly father he had ever known died sometime in his teen years and as the oldest son he took on the responsibility of caring for his mother. He had a good ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others