In Sermon Illustrations: "challenge"

In The United States Of America, Our National ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 19, 2003

In the United States of America, our national symbol is an eagle---the Bald Eagle to be exact. Anyone can look at an eagle and be amazed at its beauty as well as its character. But, what is it that makes eagles so majestic and awesome in their character? It is the way that they are taught to rise ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: United Methodist

When I Was A Student At Mccormick Seminary In ...  PRO

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Feb 20, 2004

When I was a student at McCormick Seminary in Chicago, I took Carl Dudley’s course on culture. One day in class, he raised the issue of where people sit in church. It is so easy for us, when we’re young, to criticize those who, in our minds, get too possessive about the seat on which they stake ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Carol's Husband Jim Was Killed In An Accident. ...

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 22, 2004

Carol’s husband Jim was killed in an accident. Jim, age 52, was driving home from work. A teenager with a very high blood-alcohol hit him. Jim died instantly, while the teenager was treated and released! It was Carol’s 50th birthday and Jim had two plane tickets to Hawaii. He was going to surprise ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Jean-Claude Killy Made The French National ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

When Jean-Claude Killy made the French national ski team in the early 1960s, he was prepared to work harder than anyone else to be the best. At the crack of dawn he would run up the slopes with his skis on, an unbelievably grueling activity. In the evening he would lift weights, run ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony

A Student Named Steve Winger From Lubbock, Tx Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 20, 2007

A student named Steve Winger from Lubbock, TX was taking a challenging class in Logic. The course and teacher were known for exacting and demanding exams. The final exam was looming, and the professor mercifully told the class that each student would be permitted to bring in a single 8.5 x 11 inch ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Greater The Man, The Greater He Will See His ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 18, 2007

The greater the man, the greater he will see his role as father. General Douglas MacArthur, supreme commander of Allied forces during WWII said: Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Other

One Of God's Great Partners In The 1930's And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

One of God’s great partners in the 1930’s and 40’s who did exactly this – helped lead people to belief – was Dr. Harry Ironside. Not only did he author more than 60 books (and one hymn, Overshadowed), but he also pastored Moody Memorial Church in Chicago for 18 years. On one occasion while he was ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

One Day A Farmer's Donkey Fell Down Into A Well. ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 21, 2009

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to try and retrieve the donkey. So, he invited all his ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Baptist

Object Lesson: The Mop Head

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 13, 2009

OBJECT LESSON: THE MOP HEAD I have here a mop head that I recently replaced at the Upper Room. This has been used to mop urine. I know, because I mopped up when this guy urinated all over himself, the couch he was sitting on, and the floor while he was asleep. It has mopped up the filth that was ...read more

Tags: Born Again

Denomination: Church Of God

Dare To Be Different

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 7, 2009

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT A number of years ago I was traveling in the western part of North Carolina, near the town of Bryson City. I had not had my license very long and had been given specific instructions by my family members concerning the road that I would find once I left the main highway. I was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12-14

Tags: Holiness

Persecution

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 4, 2022

John Stott has pointed out that “persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value-systems.” That clash is what we are seeing now, and it is ultimately between those who believe, trust, and love the God of the Bible and those who do not. The changes afoot today represent a ...read more

Tags: Persecution Of Christians, Cultural Warfare

Denomination: Lutheran

Sharing Your Personal Testimony

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 19, 2025

Preparing Your Personal Testimony - Sharing how you came to know God personally is one of the most powerful ways you can help friends grasp how much God loves us. If someone asked you to share today, would you find it challenging to explain how you came to believe in God, or what he means to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, Testimony

Denomination: Methodist

Passing The Torch: Lessons From Castro  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 1, 2001

PASSING THE TORCH: LESSONS FROM CASTRO In August, President Fidel Castro celebrated his 75th birthday. The Cuban dictator came to power in 1959, after overthrowing former dictator, Fulgencio Batista. On the eve of his birthday, Castro made a powerful gesture. He publicly handed a Cuban flag to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Devotion, Parenting, Zeal

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Read A Recent Magazine Article About A Pastor ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 10, 2005

I read a recent magazine article about a pastor and his encounter with some unbelievers while having breakfast. Here is how he tells the story: “My wife and I were vacationing in Estes Park, Colorado, and had breakfast in a coffee shop. It was empty except for four men at another table. One was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-31, John 13:34-35, Jude 1:3-16, Galatians 5:6, Luke 16:1-15, Acts 2:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Determination, Truth Of Christ, Surrender

Denomination: Methodist

Thoughts On The Body Of Christ

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 18, 2012

THOUGHTS ON THE BODY OF CHRIST Here are some thoughts on The Church from a few 30 on down in age individuals from the book "The Relevant Church": Quotes: Brian Kay, "It is impossible to be a follower of Christ and not be part of a local church!" "No one can have God as Father who does not also ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

The Power Of Presence

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Jun 12, 2017

Long before I became a Dad, I had strong opinions about fathering. Perhaps it’s because I came along quite late in my father’s life. He was 47 years old. To say I was a surprise would be an understatement! But, my Dad rose to the challenge! Like my sister and brother before me, I became his pride ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3

Tags: Parenting, Legacy, Fatherhood

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Whatever Happened To Reality

Contributed by James Snyder on May 18, 2024

During my health hiatus I did things I never had time to do before. One of them was to check out some Reality TV Shows. I never had much interest in these TV shows, but I thought now would be a good time to check some of them just to see what their idea of reality really was. Of course, my health ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Reality, Tv Shows

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Chameleon  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 6, 2002

THE CHAMELEON When the new nation of Israel was getting ready to go into the land that God had promised them, their leader, Moses, gave them instructions on how they should live as God’s people. God wanted them to prosper, but for this to happen, they had to avoid certain animals that could harm ...read more

Tags: Faith, Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

L.a. Laker Power Guard A.c. Green Is One Example ...  PRO

Contributed by Big Tommy Sirotnak on Apr 25, 2003

L.A. LAKER POWER GUARD A.C. GREEN is one example of a man who will stand for the truth at all costs. I knew A.C. during his rookie season with the Lakers. Like all rookies, he had to endure harassment and practical jokes. As he started to practice one day, a teammate came up to him and told him ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know You Have Heard The Phrase "Remember The ...  PRO

Contributed by Dale Harlow on Jun 19, 2003

I know you have heard the phrase “remember the Alamo.” It is a story that illustrates what we, as men are all about. 187 men against the Mexican army of over 6000. They were extraordinary men, but they knew they couldn’t win with those odds. They had sent out pleas for help, but they had gone ...read more

Tags: Independence Day, Men And Women

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ