In Sermon Illustrations: "Brother"

All In

Contributed by Tom Feola on Feb 6, 2012

ALL IN The New York Giants were just a handful of days from the Week 16 game against the New York Jets, with the Giants stuck at 7-7 and their season fast slipping away. Losers of four of their previous five games, it seemed as if the Giants were destined to finish second or even third in the NFC ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27, Matthew 16:13-20

Tags: Sports

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Grew Up In What I Would Consider, Lower Middle ...

Contributed by Mark Thometz on Aug 27, 2012

I grew up in what I would consider, lower middle class. In the schools I went to as a kid there were really 3 levels of kids when it came to income. You had the rich kids. These kids had a Playstation AND N64, which were big when I was kid. They had huge houses and a TV in every room. Then you had ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Christian Church

Rejection At The Vending Machine  PRO

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 27, 2015

Vending machines have come a long way since I was a kid. It used to be you slid in a couple of coins and pulled a lever and down would drop your snack or drink. Now there are lights, levers, cranes, codes, and chutes that make the purchase a production of its own. It’s almost worth the price of ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Tags: Judgemental, Favoritism, Prejudice

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Keep Your Fork  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

KEEP YOUR FORK The sound of Martha’s voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim’s face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

It Was One Of The Most Poignant Snapshots Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST POIGNANT SNAPSHOTS OF THE VIETNAM WAR: A LITTLE GIRL RUNNING NAKED DOWN THE STREET, HER EYES WIDE WITH TERROR, SCREAMING IN PAIN. B. AT THE TIME, CHUCK COLSON WAS PRESIDENT NIXON’S ASSISTANT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, DEALING WITH DECISIONS INVOLVING THE VIETNAM WAR, AND IN HIS BOOK ...read more

Tags: Witness, Grace, Forgiveness, Healing, Acceptance, Hope, Relationships, Debt, Ordinary Men, Extraordinary  (view more)  (view less)

A Wise Heart ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A Wise Heart Cry James, the half brother of Jesus, gives the Christian a powerful truth, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). The Body of Christ is called to make disciples and this calling is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rules And The Ruler

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

THE RULES AND THE RULER Back in the day of one-room school houses, a story is told about a little girl named Mary. Mary was so excited because it was the first day of school! Miss Tomlin was the new teacher and since it was the first day, Miss Tomlin thought it a good idea to lay some ground ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Rest If You Must, Don't Quit

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 28, 2021

TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S WILL WE MUST HAVE MORE THAN NEARSIGHTEDNESS. Working with people takes time and much patience. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. In 1981 I accepted the pastorate of a small mission work in eastern ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:19, Psalm 37:7

Tags: Patience, Remember Me

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Keep Away From Sin!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 24, 2022

Genesis 4 Devotional Part 2 The first children from Adam and Eve grew up having 2 different interests: Abel took care of animals while Cain took care of plants. When it was time to worship God (how did they learn and why did they worship God?), Cain offered firstfruits from the field and Abel ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-15

Tags: Love, Sin, Heart, Cain, Relationship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is It Like On The Other Side?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 22, 2022

Kansas City, Missouri is separated from Kansas City, Kansas by the Missouri River. Years ago, there was a farmer who lived on the Kansas side of the river. He had a farm, a wife and a beautiful daughter. The farmer and his family had never been across the river. They had lived their whole life on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Death, Revelation, Heaven, Hope, Eternal Life, New Jerusalem, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Palm Sunday Is Important

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Mar 26, 2024

In 1997 I traveled to Pittsburgh to attend a Promise Keepers Meeting at Three Rivers Stadium. Men from the Ashland Area Churches rented a bus and traveled there together. Promise Keepers was created to issue a calling to men to live up to their biblical responsibilities to be good Husbands, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Isaiah 50:5-7

Tags: Faith, Palm Sunday

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Patriotic Testimony - Sgt. York, Christian Soldier

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 23, 2016

SERGEANT YORK the Christian Soldier If someone remembers the name Sergeant York, they remark by saying, “That’s the movie starring Gary Cooper, right?” Who is this hillbilly from Tennessee? This is where our story begins. In December 1887, in the hills of Pall Mall, Tennessee, Alvin York was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Tags: Testimony, Christian Soldiers, War Heroes, July 4th

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Understanding

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jan 21, 2025

In 1988 at the Democratic National Convention the Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a speech called “Common Ground” in which he challenged us to never give in to demagoguery. He said, Don't you surrender and don't you give up. Don't surrender and don't give up! Why cannot I challenge you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7

Tags: Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson

Denomination: Baptist

Byron Deel, Grew Up With An Alcoholic And Abusive ...  PRO

Contributed by Ian Biss on Oct 1, 2001

Byron Deel, grew up with an alcoholic and abusive father. Byron had two brothers and three sisters, a large family, but his dad spent the family income on alcohol, and he drank and ranted and raved and hit them. When Byron was twelve, his father walked away from the family, and did absolutely ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:6

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, God The Father

Denomination: Grace Brethren

I'm A Different Person  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jul 27, 2003

I'M A DIFFERENT PERSON “…that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” When I still lived in California, and for a while was selling cars until I repented, I worked with a very lovely young woman named Sheri. We became good friends, because we were hired very close to the same time. She ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:12-17

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Disciplines Meditation

Denomination: Orthodox

May 11, 2005 "Sunshine Following The Rain!" ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 9, 2005

May 11, 2005 “Sunshine Following the Rain!” Philemon: 17-19 Key verse(s) 18:“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” There is that precious, opportunistic moment; when a gentle hand by a touch on the shoulder is able to magically remove the sting of failure from the ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:17-19

Tags: Faith, Christian Love, Compassion

Denomination: Lutheran

Marriage And Guns: Protect Your ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 12, 2009

MARRIAGE AND GUNS: PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT Charlie Shedd wrote his son a series of letters to give some practical advice about marriage. They were published in a book called Letters to Phillip. Here is one of the most moving chapters: Dear Phil, I used to hunt ducks with a man who had a "thing" ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Tags: Marriage, Marriage General

The Gift Of The Skates

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2009

THE GIFT OF THE SKATES So how do we recognize His authority in our lives? How do we express our faith and our love to Him? By committing ourselves to His mission. Jesus doesn’t say anything about saving sinners and getting them into heaven. The primary priority of his mission is to preach good ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-6

Tags: Christmas

Conversion Of A Communist

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Leonard Ravenhill tells the story of preaching an 8-day crusade in a large church in Glasgow, Scotland starting the first day of World War II. That shattered his meetings and no more than 50 people showed, so they started to meet in a side room instead. Despite this, he preached his heart out every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Resurrection, Power

Denomination: Methodist