In Sermon Illustrations: "Chosen By God"

Don't Call God A Liar With Joy

Contributed by John Allen on Mar 11, 2024

There is a sin committed by many Bible-believing Christians, a sin that borders on the curse of Revelation 22:19, taking away from the words of the Bible. More specifically, it is a common sin of the enemy: Redefining the words of Scripture. What word? Joy. A well-meaning Christian says, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Matthew 13:44

Tags: Happiness, Joy

Son Of Sam Serial Killer Is Now A Servant Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

The story of David Berkowitz, infamously known as the “Son of Sam,” is a remarkable tale of redemption and transformation. 1. Background: In the late 1970s, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City as a serial killer. He shot and killed six young people and wounded seven others during a spree ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Conversion, Redemption, Transformation, Prison Ministry, Saul Of Tarsus, Miracle, Forgiveness, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A.w. Tozer Reconciles The Sovereignty Of God And The Will Of Man

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

A. W. Tozer attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty and man's freewill: An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. On board the liner are scores of ...read more

Tags: Faith, Father, Heaven, Trust, Journey, Sovereignty Of God, Will Of Man, Depending On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Opened An Unexpected Door For Cliff Barrows

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

Dr. James Dobson wrote a book entitled When God Doesn’t Make Sense, and, in his book, he shared an illustration that is very applicable to the point being drawn from this particular verse. Take a moment and reflect upon the following story: In 1945, a young associate pastor named Cliff married his ...read more

Tags: Will Of God, Call To Ministry, Open Doors, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Sermon Reminded Me Of The Peace And Love Of God!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons. "Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!" The pastor was ...read more

Tags: Paul, Preaching, Peace Of God, Eutychus, Love Of God, Preachers, Boring Sermons, Long Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When We Raise Our Hands, God Will Intervene

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 18, 2025

WHEN WE RAISE OUR HANDS, GOD WILL INTERVENE Heavenly Father, I have just realized how Almighty You are, even though I have known this for a long time. Forgive me, Father, for often facing various problems relying only on myself. It turns out that I am limited and have no strength of my own. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:11

Tags: God, Raised Hands

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[116]. A Message From A Poem – Having A Chat With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[116]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVING A CHAT WITH GOD There is nothing pretentious here. It is a simple prayer mixed with thoughts of the Lord. This poem is a meditation, one that I hope you can relate to in your life. Some make prayer a sanctimonious affair and it is about as dead as a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 John 4:19

Tags: Grace, Love, Hope, Prayer, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Chat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grief: God's Answer To Overwhelming Grief

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

What follows is a true account, which I (Stephen) was fortunate enough to witness firsthand in the spring of 2015. My wife was an only child raised by a single mom, and as such was very close to her mother. Thus, when her mother died after 90 years my wife was severely grief stricken and would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Tags: Death, Prayer, Listen, Grief, Loved One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

How God Fulfils His Promises In Our Life?

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 24, 2025

Every true promise of God passes through the stage of death before its fulfilled. The stage of death- is where we lose all hope, and the fulfilment of the promise looks impossible. The mere thought of the promise becomes burdensome. Sometimes we will forget the fact that we have such a wonderful ...read more

Tags: Faith, Hope

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2025

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91 Judy Anderson grew up as a missionary kid in Zaire. As a little girl, she went to a day-long rally celebrating the 100th anniversary of Christian missionaries coming to that part of the country. After a full day of messages and music, an old man came ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Eternal Life, Refuge, Cross Of Christ, Messiah Prophecies, Fear, Protection, Resurrection, Trust, Overcome, Fortress  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Inevitability Of Gradualness!" Hebrews ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 16, 2005

“The Inevitability of Gradualness!” Hebrews 13:20-22 Key verse(s): 21:“(He) equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and every. Amen.” “I was doing the right thing; but it seemed the harder I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30, Hebrews 13:20-22

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Lutheran

Poor Little Orphan Annie! It's "A Hard-Knock ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Jan 23, 2002

Poor Little Orphan Annie! It’s "a hard-knock life" for her and her friends. All the hard chores, the abuse, and the neglect only add insult to injury to these poor little girls already carrying the weight of abandonment. But if you’ve seen the musical "Annie," either on stage or screen, you know ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Endurance, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Mention It  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Feb 18, 2002

DON'T MENTION IT Francis MacNutt quotes theologian Walter Wink in his book “Deliverance from Evil Spirits" and writes: "...if you want to bring all talk to a halt in shocked embarrassment, every eye riveted on you, try mentioning angels, or demons or the devil. You will quickly be appraised for ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God, Supernatural

Denomination: Vineyard

A Thanks Offering For His Plans For Us  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A Thanks Offering For His Plans for Us Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Tags: God's Plan, God's Timing, God's Direction, Wisdom Of God, God's Sovereign Will  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

E. There Is A Sylvie Dosrosiers Play That Ran On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

E. THERE IS A SYLVIE DOSROSIERS PLAY THAT RAN ON BROADWAY IN 1995 ENTITLED, "THE LONG SILENCE" THAT SAYS IT ALL, “AT THE END OF TIME, WHERE BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE SCATTERED ON A GREAT PLAIN BEFORE GOD’S THRONE. MOST SHRANK FROM THE BRILLIANT LIGHT BEFORE THEM, BUT SOME GROUPS NEAR THE FRONT TALKED ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God

Some Time Ago I Read A Fascinating Story In ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Harden on Jan 18, 2001

Some time ago I read a fascinating story in National Geographic magazine. An explorer had made a tremendous accomplishment. He managed, for the first time in history, to record on videotape the birth of a panda cub in the wild. This was amazing, in part, because of how violent the mother panda bear ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Provision, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Baptist

Transcendence  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Goettsche on Oct 18, 2000

R.C. Sproul tells us transcendence means literally, "to climb across." It is defined as "exceeding the usual limits." When we speak of the transcendence of God we are talking about that sense in which God is above and beyond us. He is higher than the world. He has absolute power over the world. ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Omnipotence, God's Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Ever Been In A Service Where The Music ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 9, 2001

Have you ever been in a service where the music and the message were so powerful, so uplifting that you sensed the glory of His presence? A.H. Ackley wrote about it once: In my failure, sin, and sorrow, brokenhearted, crushed and torn, I have felt His presence near me, He has all my burdens ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Promises Of God, God The Father

Denomination: Wesleyan

In Most Any Movie Everyone Has His Or Her ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Jun 13, 2001

In most any movie everyone has his or her favorite part. Pearl Harbor was no exception. To me it was rather obvious that the writers wanted our favorite part to be towards the end when the two heroes of the movie, played by Ben Afleck and Josh Harnett, are involved in the American retaliation ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Sovereign Will, Promises Of God

Denomination: Methodist

One Day C. H. Spurgeon Was Walking Through The ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 10, 2001

One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Omniscience, God's Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ