In Sermon Illustrations: "Christs Power"

When I Was Growing Up In West Texas Cicada ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 14, 2003

When I was growing up in West Texas cicada (pronounced si-ka'-da) “locusts” like the one pictured on the screen filled the giant elm trees at times. During the heat of the summer the shrill buzzing sound of their mating call filled the air. To this day anytime I get in dry, hot weather I remember ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 6:1-7

Tags: Growth In Christ, Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Charismatic

A Reporter Once Asked Tom Landry, Successful ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Wood on Feb 14, 2003

A reporter once asked Tom Landry, successful coach of the Dallas Cowboys, “What makes a champion?” His answer was power-packed. He said, “A champion is simply someone who didn’t give up when he wanted to.” He went on to explain: “Success is not accidental. We learn how to achieve.” Tom Landry ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Mccartney's Video Illustration: From The Movie ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 20, 2004

McCartney’s Video Illustration: From The movie “The Great Escape” preview of the movie. The movie is about Allied soldiers who planned and executed “The Great Escape” from a German Prisoner of War camp in WWII. The movie focuses on how determined these soldiers were to escape from their present ...read more

Tags: Faith General, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Dead, But I Spoke To Him This Morning!

Contributed by Silas Eke on Feb 28, 2015

Once Billy Graham was challenged when giving a message on the reality of God and His Son Jesus Christ; somebody said to him. “Hi, Billy, you talk very much about God as if He lives. He is dead. He has no more power in the affairs of men.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Tags: Christ's Death, Jesus Is Alive

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Historically Profound Moral Understanding  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2002

HISTORICALLY PROFOUND MORAL UNDERSTANDING COMMUNION MEDITATION Dallas Willard writes: "What Jesus had to say about human good and evil was of sufficient depth, power, and justification to dominate European culture and its offshoots for two millennia. Nobody even has an idea of what 'Europe' and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19, James 1:18

Tags: Lord's Supper, Humanity Of Christ

Robert C. Shannon In James W. Cox, The ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jul 15, 2001

Robert C. Shannon in James W. Cox, The Minister’s Manual, 1995, p. 347 Celsus was the first great skeptic. He once asked, "What has Jesus given to the world that that no one else has given?" Someone answered, "Himself!" Yes, that’s Jesus’ magnificent, stunning gift to the world. He gave ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Humanity Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jack Benny Was Rather Shy When He Was Young. One ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 21, 2001

Jack Benny was rather shy when he was young. One day at work he saw a young lady that greatly attracted his attention. But he was too shy to speak to her. So he went to the florist & ordered one red rose to be sent to her without any card enclosed. And every day he repeated that order. Well, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5-13, Genesis 2:18-27, Ephesians 5:25-33

Tags: Power, Marriage Commitment, Marriage Obligations, Romantic Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

James Hunter In His Book "The Servant" Presents A ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Newell on Aug 29, 2001

James Hunter in his book “The Servant” presents a powerful picture of what it really means to be a leader/servant. He shares: leadership is ultimately rooted in our will. Not forcing our will on others, but demonstrating our will to serve. There is a big difference between leading through power ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-12, Matthew 23:1-12

Tags: Authority, Servanthood, Servant, Power, Leadership General, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

Trust In The Lord To Fix It

Contributed by James Ledbetter on Feb 3, 2015

A friend pastor of mine once told me a story about trusting in the Lord to fix what is broken. A certain man and his pastor traveled to preach a sermon at another church. And when finished they went to a store to look around. The man bought a doll for his daughter and took it home and gave it to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-4, Psalm 40:1-40

Tags: All-Powerful God, Book Of Psalms, Trust Jesus

Denomination: Apostolic

One Major Difference Between God And Us

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Oct 13, 2016

You may plan to go on a picnic on a certain day, but can you be sure you will be able to do what you plan? What could happen to prevent you from going on that picnic? It could rain. You could get sick. You could get a flat tire... Many things could happen to keep us from accomplishing what we ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:9-11

Tags: God's Power, Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, Being Human

Denomination: Baptist

Church Without The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

David Platt in his book, Radical, has a chapter entitled, "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power (Subsection entitled - “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit?”). This is where I am most convicted as a pastor that I am part of a system ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Pastors, Programs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A.w. Tozer On The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Great Quote by A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit: "If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would know the difference! .I do not believe in a REPETITION of Pentecost, but I do ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Power, Pastors, Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does Your Ministry Rely Upon The Holy Spirit?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

"When we rely on organization, we get what organization can do. When we rely upon education, we get what education can do. When we rely on eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Pastors, Ministry, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

As A Kid Growing Up In Johnstown, Pa I Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 23, 2003

As a kid growing up in Johnstown, PA I was fascinated by the electric trolley cars that hauled people around the city. As big as they were, the trolley car was powerless until the conductor hooked it up to the cable. Moreover, the trolley could run only along the route determined by the trolley ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian, Commitment To Christ

Pastor Bruce D. Weaver And His Wife Drove In ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004

Pastor Bruce D. Weaver and his wife drove in their car to pick up their son from Vacation Bible School. The sky was growing dark and there was a storm watch in effect, but no rain was falling yet. The theme for their upcoming Vacation Bible School had to do with Noah’s ark and the flood, so he ...read more

Tags: Return Of Christ, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Purpose Of Testing Your Faith Is To Help You ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim George on Feb 5, 2001

The purpose of testing your faith is to help you to see whether or not your faith is real and how strong that faith is. A jeweler gives as one of the surest tests for a true diamond what is called the water test. An imitation stone is never ever so brilliant as a genuine stone. A genuine diamond ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Tags: Growth In Christ, Doubt

Denomination: Baptist

Philip Yancey In His Book Disappointment With God ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 25, 2001

Philip Yancey in his book Disappointment with God wrote this: "Imagine for a moment becoming a baby again: giving up language and muscle coordination, and the ability to eat solid food and control your bladder. God as a fetus! Or imagine yourself becoming a sea slug – that analogy is probably ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Humanity Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical Free

You’ve Got To Count The Cost When You ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2001

"You’ve got to count the cost when you carry the ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Commitment To Christ

It Is One Of The Supreme Handicaps Of The Church ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 8, 2001

IT IS ONE OF THE SUPREME HANDICAPS OF THE CHURCH THAT IN IT THERE ARE SO MANY DISTANT FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST AND SO FEW REAL DISCIPLES. ALL OF ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Free Methodist