In Sermon Illustrations: "Choice Is Yours"

Ignoring The Alarm

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

My house has a smoke detector that goes off every single time I cook. Every time. I am not even burning anything. I’m just making eggs and the thing starts screaming like the house is engulfed in flames. After a while, you know what I did? I just started ignoring it. I fan it with a towel and keep ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Anger, Self Control

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Higher You Climb

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

In college I was certified in belaying at Texas Tech's rock climbing wall, and we would go and climb there many times a week. Many of the routes, when you're at the bottom looking up, you might think, "That doesn't look so bad. I bet I could climb that pretty easily." But as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15

Tags: Humility, Spiritual Growth

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Misconception Of A New Year

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 31, 2022

Christmas is the best time of the year, especially when it involves family. It's the one time of the year that families get together to celebrate together. Of course, at least from my perspective, it is also the most hectic time of the year. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has an ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Reality, New Year

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is The Doctor Behind?" Psalm 13:1-6 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 30, 2005

“Is the Doctor Behind?” Psalm 13:1-6 Key verse(s) 5:“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Waiting is not something that comes natural to me. When I am put to wait, the time drags by so slowly, so tediously. While other more accommodating individuals are able ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

Letting Go Of The Branch!" Luke 1:5-15 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 31, 2005

“Letting Go of the Branch!” Luke 1:5-15 Key verse(s) 13“But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.” Trusting in God is fine, as long as it is something you believe He can do. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-15, 1 Kings 17:8-16

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

French Fries  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 24, 2007

French Fries Like many modern fathers, I never seem to have enough time to spend with my children. So I was pleased that I had to "watch" the two boys last Saturday. We ran a couple of errands, got the car washed, and then they decided it was time for lunch. I asked them where they wanted to ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Moses' Stutter  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Moses’ Stutter The hallway is silent now except for the two wheels of the mop bucket and the shuffle of the old man’s feet. Both sound tired. Both know these floors. How many nights has Hank cleaned them? Always careful to get in the corners. Always careful to set up his yellow caution sign ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Dr. James Engel Gives Some Prophetic Advice On ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2009

Dr. James Engel gives some prophetic advice on building bridges from one generation to the next - the following insights are from the website (www.ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org): i. Don’t oppose this new generation! Don’t oppose each other’s generation. 1. They are not the enemy they are God’s ...read more

Tags: Stewardship, Future Generations

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hope In The Transfiguration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2010

THE HOPE IN THE TRANSFIGURATION In the Winter of 1966, a voters registration card arrived in the mail at the home of Vernon Dahmer. On the surface, something like this is no big deal; it happens every day. But this was different, for a number of reasons. It was different because Vernon Dahmer was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-15

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

The Power Of The Holy Spirit To Change Lives

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 27, 2023

Dr. Harry A. Ironside the great evangelist and Bible teacher was living in the San Francisco Bay area working with a group of believers called “Brethren.” One Sunday as he was walking through the city he came upon a group of Salvation Army workers holding a meeting on the corner of Market and Grant ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-9

Tags: Changed Lives, Power Of The Holy Spirit, Henry Ironside, Holy Spirit, Transformation, Agnosticism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[007]. A Message From A Poem - A Shepherd Left His Comfort Zone

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

[007]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A SHEPHERD LEFT HIS COMFORT ZONE Shepherds and sheep feature quite often in the biblical record and Jesus used parables and illustrations involving sheep. This poem was developed from a comment a Convention speaker made when teaching on the Lost Sheep. The ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9, John 10:10-11, John 10:14-15, Luke 15:4-6

Tags: Jesus Died For The Sheep, 100 Sheep, Night, Sheep, Lost Sheep, Crucified, The Good Shepherd, Jesus Our Shepherd, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[133]. A Message From A Poem – I Am The Son Who Is Blessed

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[133]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I AM THE SON WHO IS BLESSED This poem has as its basis the parable of the Lost Son sometimes called The Prodigal Son. The first two stanzas are set when the lost son returns home. He was lost because he was lost to sin and the degradation of that lifestyle. Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:20-24, 1 Corinthians 2:9

Tags: Heaven, Blessing, Christian Poems, Ring On The Finger, Fattened, Robe, Entering Heaven, The Prodigal Son, The Lost Son, Sandals, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[215]. A Message From A Poem - His Precious Redeemed Ones

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 28, 2025

[215]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - HIS PRECIOUS REDEEMED ONES In my messages and sermons, sometimes I raise the plight of suffering Christians enduring persecution such as we observe in many nations in Africa. It makes me think of these suffering ones and how the Lord views them. They are ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24, Revelation 2:10-11, 1 John 5:4, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2 Peter 1:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Christ, Jesus, Persecution, Victors, Grain Of Wheat, Christian Poems, Africa, Precious, Put To Death, Redeemed, Believers, Saints  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[225]. A Message From A Poem - Psalm 68 Selections

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 11, 2025

[225]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PSALM 68 SELECTIONS This poem is a breakdown in Psalm 68, and 12 of the verses have been selected. The heading in the Psalm says “A Psalm of David. A Song,” and is directed to the Choir Director. It would seem this Psalm resulted from a victory David ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-10, Psalm 68:18, Psalm 68:14, Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Christian Poems, A Song, A Happy Psalm, Paradise, Victory, Ascension, Psalm Of David, Lazarus In Paradise, Jesus Ascended  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[242]. A Message From A Poem – It’s All In The Saviour’s Hands

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 23, 2025

[242]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IT’S ALL IN THE SAVIOUR’S HANDS This poem came about simply by thinking of the hands of Jesus when He took the bread at the Passover on the betrayal night. That led to thinking of other incidences and that’s how the poem resulted. Each stanza covers one incident. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:25, Acts 2:23, John 13:3-14, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, Matthew 14:15-20, Luke 9:12-17, Matthew 14:25-31, Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 5:22-24, Mark 5:35-43  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sick Daughter, Christian Poems, Passover Bread, 5 Loaves And 2 Fishes, Peter Sinks In The Water, Stretched Out Hand, Poll Tax, Cross, Jairus, Denarius, Nails, Foot Washing, Feeding The 5000, Bread, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[288]. A Message From A Poem – The Xxxxxx Public Service

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 15, 2026

[288]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE XXXXXX PUBLIC SERVICE Maybe some might think this is a harsh poem but we live now in harsh times and sometimes bluntness is needed to wake up the offenders. I have deliberately omitted the identification from the title, so what is said could apply to just so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:12-13

Tags: Arrogance, Manipulators, Bureaucrats, The Public Service, Christian Poems, Government Officials, Civil Service  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[311]. A Message From A Poem - Thoughts – Precious Ones From Hebrews

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 18, 2026

[311]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THOUGHTS – PRECIOUS ONES FROM HEBREWS This poem contains many references to verses in Hebrews. The book of Hebrews was written to Jews and that is why it has so many images of the Levitical priesthood and sacrifices. It was written by Paul and would be in line ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-22, Hebrews 12:1-2

Tags: Endurance, Run, Patience, Great High Priest, New Way, Author Of Salvation, Living Way, Christian Poems, The Book Of Hebrews  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

D. On March 13, 1998 From Associated Press- ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 3, 2001

D. On March 13, 1998 from Associated Press- Milton Garland is 102 years old. He is America’s oldest known worker. He’s worked for the same Pennsylvania engineering firm since 1920. He thinks life and work are just about the same thing. "I don’t think age has anything to do with your desire to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:16

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Workplace

I’ve Heard Author Frank Peretti Compare Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

I’ve heard author Frank Peretti compare our culture’s hunger for biblical absolutes to the need for authority on a neighborhood playground in the summertime. Posted on the fence of the playground are some rules: “No hitting. No profanity. Only age ten and under on the monkey bars. Only age eight ...read more

Tags: Truth Absolute

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God And Truth Relieve Agony  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 13, 2001

GOD AND TRUTH RELIEVE AGONY Lloyd John Ogilvie, chaplain of the United States Senate, recalls: Senator Max Cleland, who lost both of his legs and his right hand in Vietnam, came to the Bible study withdrawn and tired. Another senator said, "Max, are you all right?" "Not really," he said. "I’ve ...read more

Tags: Descriptions Of God, Prayer Answered, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational