In Sermon Illustrations: "Choice Is Yours"

[112]. A Message From A Poem – Has Warmth Of Nearness Changed To Coolness?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2025

[112]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAS WARMTH OF NEARNESS CHANGED TO COOLNESS? INTRODUCING THE POEM: Our walk with the Lord is not always one on a smooth, sinless road. There is joy; there are times of peace, times of praise, times of contentment, but there are also times of hardship, times of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-4, Psalm 42:5-8, Psalm 42:9-11

Tags: Cast Down, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Waning, Faith, Failure, Forgotten, Despair, Cold, Backsliding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Spite Of The Fun And Laughter, 13 Yr. Old ...  PRO

Contributed by John Gerald on Sep 11, 2004

In spite of the fun and laughter, 13 yr. old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was true, he had received all the presents he wanted, and he enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve reunions with relatives for the purpose of exchanging gifts and good wishes..........but Frank was not happy because this ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Methodist

Truly Amazing Grace

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Timothy Paul Jones in his book, Proof writes about his middle daughter who had been previously adopted by another family. He was sure this couple had the best of intentions, but they never quite integrated the adopted child into their family of biological children. For one reason or another, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Tags: Grace, Sin, Chosen, Rebellion, Adoption  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Staring Down The Critic's Barrel!" Proverbs 9: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 17, 2005

“Staring Down the Critic’s Barrel!” Proverbs 9: 7-10 Key verse(s): 8b:“. . . rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” The Bible tells us that “rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” Love? What happened to getting the emotional revenge that is so satisfying? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:7-10, Psalm 82:3-4, Philippians 2:13-14

Tags: Grace, Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran

Stirring Up A Mess!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 21, 2024

HOW EASY IS IT TO STIR UP A MESS? THERE IS A HIDDEN AGENDA AND MOTIVE WITHIN. There was a cowboy who road into town to visit a saloon on the edge of town. The cowboy tied his horse to the hitching post in front of the bar. He then went inside to drink. The devil came by and saw the cowboy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Jeremiah 17:9-10

Tags: Anger, Hidden Agenda

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Good Gossip

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody.” – Benjamin Franklin I knew a woman once who took a temporary job working for a large ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:28

Tags: Gossip, Evil Tongue, Encouraging Others, Power Of The Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

The ...

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 27, 2008

Illustration: The brick A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

9 / ...

Contributed by Susan Babb, Osl on Oct 9, 2008

9 / 11 A. Let me tell you about a whole town that epitomized this scripture B.. Gander, Canada 1. population 9,600 2. smack dab in the middle of Newfoundland 3. Canada’s eastern most province along the Atlantic 4. it had a community center, an aviation museum, 4 city ...read more

Tags: Hospitality

Denomination: Methodist

Unsung Heroes: Phurah, The Servant Of Gideon

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 5, 2021

Introduction: Phurah, Gideon’s servant, is only mentioned twice in the entire Bible—here in this passage—but what he did certainly speaks volumes. Text, Judges 7:9-11, KJV: 9 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:9-11

Tags: Gideon, Phurah, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

[077]. A Message From A Poem – Eyes And Ears - Blind And Deaf

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 11, 2025

[077]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EYES AND EARS - BLIND AND DEAF Stubbornness is so bound up in most people that it will not release them, particularly when the things of God are presented. Stubbornness refuses to see reason and to see the light, and to hear and obey. The prophets were frustrated ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:20, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 43:8, Isaiah 35:5

Tags: Poetry, Stubbornness, Poem, Deaf Ears, Blind Eyes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Like The Story Of The Boy Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 25, 2001

It’s like the story of the boy who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he was in his Grandma’s backyard one day, h spied her pet duck. On impulse h took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. “The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Guilt, Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Legend About An Ancient Village In ...  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Mar 27, 2002

There is a legend about an ancient village in Spain. The villagers learned that the king would pay a visit! In a thousand years, a king had never come to that village. Excitement grew! "We must throw a big celebration," The villagers all agreed. But, it was a poor village, and there weren’t many ...read more

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Like What President Jimmy Carter Said In His ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 14, 2002

I like what President Jimmy Carter said in his Nobel Peace Prize Speech this past week: The unchanging principles of life predate modern times. I worship Jesus Christ, whom we Christians consider to be the prince of peace. As a Jew, he taught us to cross religious boundaries in service and in love. ...read more

Tags: Peace, Christmas, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Methodist

The Cat With Limited Vision  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 3, 2004

THE CAT WITH LIMITED VISION. There was a beautiful pedigreed cat that lived in a hugh mansion on a hill. The cat had everything. The cat was warm in the cold winter, cool in the hot summer. The cat had a choice of food: fresh tuna, beef, or pork. The cat ate out of silver dishes. The cat drank ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Clenched Fist Toward God  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 28, 2005

Clenched Fist Toward God A story I heard personally from Malcolm Muggeridge (that stirred me then and still does even yet) was his account of a conversation he had with Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Josef Stalin. She spent some time with Muggeridge in his home in England while they were working ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Wesleyan

Joy Does Not Become Elusive To People. People ...  PRO

Contributed by Denise Raterta on Nov 30, 2005

Joy does not become elusive to people. People choose to elude joy and God, for that matter. I remember how Jennifer Aniston’s character in the movie “The Good Girl” resented her lady friend’s consistent cheerfulness by saying: “I wonder what the h--- that woman is so d--- happy about.” It’s ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: *other

Hormone ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 10, 2009

HORMONE HURRICANES Josh McDowell is one of christianity’s foremost experts on teenagers. His research shows that in evangelical church circles, 65% of teens have had some kind of sexual experience before the age of 18. 43% say they have actually gone all the way. He asked them where they learned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Temptation, Temptation Sex

I Came Upon My 3rd Grade Report Card From A Small ...

Contributed by Brad Henry on Dec 9, 2011

I came upon my 3rd grade report card from a small school in Western Pennsylvania. The teacher wrote, "I feel Bradley could do so much better. Inattentive." Well not much has changed. ADD started early. But I was not inattentive when it came time for sports. Why the disconnect? It is because I was ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Charlene Cothran Is The Publisher Of Venus ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Charlene Cothran is the publisher of Venus Magazine, which is a periodical for lesbians of African descent. She recently announced on the magazine’s web site that she has become a Christian and has rejected the lesbian lifestyle she had been living. Cothran said that as a magazine publisher she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:1-20, John 14:6, Matthew 10:37-39, Luke 16:1-13

Tags: Story, Commitment To Christ

Proper Attitude

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2008

PROPER ATTITUDE - Ephesians 5:18-20 >1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Chuck Swindoll said: “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more ...read more