In Sermon Illustrations: "Call To Discipleship"

I've Been In Long Caravans Before Where Anywhere ...

Contributed by Rick Thiessen on Oct 1, 2002

I’ve been in long caravans before where anywhere from 5 to 25 vehicles are making the same trek together - as a tree planting and a youth pastor. You know what my rule always was for the drivers? Keep up with the guy ahead of you. That was my rule. It seemed natural because you’re always ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Following, Guidance, Apprenticeship, Discipleship, Leading, Leadership, Mentoring  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Read An Account About A Storm That Came As A ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 3, 2003

I read an account about a storm that came as a surprise. "The storm came roaring in from the Atlantic, and it left the city of New York paralyzed. Ordinarily such a snow fall cause little inconvenience in that city. Snowplows are assembled and crews are at work even as the first flakes begin to ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Disciples, Discipleship, Prayer, Temptation General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

What God Can Do With Your Life  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 2, 2003

WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH YOUR LIFE In the recent movie, "About Schmidt" 66-year-old Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has retired from his job as an insurance actuary. He is miserable, and after his wife (June Squibb) suddenly dies, he is also lost. He travels the country in his RV hoping to stop his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Significance, Depression, Discipleship, Failure, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Things I Have Learned From Gardening  PRO

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 10, 2010

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM GARDENING • Nothing ever looks like it does on the seed packet. • Your lawn is always slightly bigger than your desire to mow it. • Whichever garden tool you want is always at the back of the shed. • The only way to ensure rain, is to give the garden a good soaking. ...read more

Tags: Creation, Growth, Discipleship, New Life, Church Planting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Jesus And I

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

When missionary Dan Crawford's body was found, a well worn New Testament was found in the coat pocket of that great missionary to Africa. Inside he had penned the words of a man unashamed of the testimony of His Lord: I cannot do it alone! The waves dash fast and high; The fog comes chilling ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12, Romans 1:16

Tags: Fellowship, Communion, Discipleship, Suffering, Testimony, Ashamed Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Identity

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 13, 2022

An engineer had this note taped inside his desk drawer at his office: "This is not my life. This is my job. Christ is my life." (Upon his tragic death in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20

Tags: Faith, Career, Salvation, Discipleship, Work, Legacy, Identity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Wonders Of Grace

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

SEVEN WONDERS OF GRACE. Text - Galatians 2:20.  There are seven spiritual wonders in this marvelous text: 1. That the Son of God should love a persecutor like Saul. "Who loved me." 2. That the Son of God should be crucified. "Crucified with Christ." 3. That Christ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Faith, Grace, Discipleship, Christian Life, Death To Self  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Marks Of A Christian

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

Galatians 2:1-10 THE MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN BY THEODORE EPP Four marks of a Christian are set forth in Galatians 2:20: First, a Christian is one who has the living Christ living in him. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Christ, Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Discipleship, Christian Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What It Means To Die To Self

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

Self denial becomes a life pattern. Now what does it mean as a Christian?  Here are some practical things.   When you are not forgiven, or neglected, or purposely set aside, and you sting and hurt with the insult or oversight, but your heart is happy and you’re ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Discipleship, Self Denial, Following Jesus, Dying To Self

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Greatest Spiritual Challenges We Face

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them: 1. Materialism. 2. Pride. 3. Self-centeredness. 4. Laziness. 5. Anger/Bitterness. 5. Sexual lust. 7. Envy. 8. Gluttony. 9. Lying. Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Anger, Spiritual Battles, Lust, Discipleship, Temptation, Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Augustine's 3 Stages Of Dealing With Sin

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 22, 2024

Augustine's three stages of dealing with sin in the life of a believer: STAGE ONE -- "Lord make me good, but not yet!" STAGE TWO - "Lord, make me good, but not ...read more

Tags: Sanctification, Sin, Growth, Discipleship, Understanding, Maturity, Self  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Makes A Difference For That One

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

Thousands of star fish washed on the beach after a storm. One boy was busily throwing them back. A watching man said, “There’s thousands and thousands washed ashore. How can you make a difference.” Boy says, “You are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2

Tags: Discipleship, Personal, Individual, Mentoring, One At A Time, Reforming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Salvation Is Free, But It Will Cost Your Life

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2024

I am often asked, "How can salvation be free, but, yet, Jesus said that we cannot by His disciple unless we forsake everything for Him?" (Luke 14). Let me explain the answer to this question in a story. Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of ...read more

Tags: Sacrifice, Salvation, Discipleship, Free, Eternal Life, Grace, Mercy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Word Of Encouragement For Discouraged Pastors

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 12, 2024

A great evangelist, Dr. Chapman, has often told an amazing story about himself. He had been in business and became minister of a great church in Philadelphia. One Monday he was more than usually dispirited. (Mondays are hard on pastors!). The Sunday had been a poor one, and he felt, as ministers ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 40:31

Tags: Faith, Ministry, Hope, Encouragement, Anointing, Discouragement, Pastors, Calling, Quitting, Resigning  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Deeply Rooted  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

DEEPLY ROOTED Parnell Bailey visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry and some of the trees were beginning to die for lack of water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. "These trees ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:7

Tags: Discipleship, Finding Fulfillment, God's Provision, Fulfillment, God In The Hardships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

As A Part Of An Assignment For A Doctoral ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

As a part of an assignment for a doctoral thesis, a college student spent a year with a group of Navajo Indians on a reservation in the Southwest. As he did his research he lived with one family, sleeping in their hut, eating their food, working with them and generally living the life of a 20th ...read more

Tags: Love, Jesus, Growth, Discipleship, Friendship, God Brings Purpose  (view more)  (view less)

The Easy Yoke

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2020

A yoke was a wooden frame which was put on the backs of animals and around their necks joining the two animals for a common task, such as plowing or pulling a load. If you were yoked with Jesus Christ, who do you think would "pull the load"? Obviously the Lord. And so in order to manifest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Discipleship, Beatitudes, Christian Life, Surrender, Yoke, Following Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holding Others Up

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

One of the best leaders and models in discipleship was Dawson Trotman, who died after helping to rescue two drowning girls. Says Chuck Swindoll: “When Dawson Trotman passed away, he probably left a legacy of discipleship on this earth that will never be matched except perhaps in the life of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Discipleship, Following Jesus, Great Commission, Dawson Trotman, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Offering A Comfortable Christian Message

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Most evangelistic appeals today pitch the gospel as the way to have an abundant life. “Jesus came to offer you abundant life. Trust in Him and He will give you peace, joy, and a truly happy life.” While all of those claims are true if properly defined, what the salesman hasn’t told the potential ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Commitment, Discipleship, Truth, Suffering, Greasy Grace, Comfortable Christianity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Died Before We Came Here

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

When James Calvert went as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the captain of the ship sought to turn him back, crying out “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages” Calvert only replied, “We died before we came here.” In ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:1-11

Tags: Discipleship, Missions, Christian Life, Dying To Self, Crucified With Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational