In Sermon Illustrations: "Christian patterns"

Impersonating A Christian

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jan 16, 2015

In her recently published book “Dance with the Devil” Barbara Bentley shares her experience with former husband, John Perry, a mysterious man, whose father was supposedly portrayed by John Wayne in a World War II movie. She fell in love with him when He dazzled her and her friends with his heroic ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Tags: Hypocrisy, Day Of Judgment, False Believer, Imposter

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Marks Of A Christian

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

Galatians 2:1-10 THE MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN BY THEODORE EPP Four marks of a Christian are set forth in Galatians 2:20: First, a Christian is one who has the living Christ living in him. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Resurrection, Holy Spirit, Discipleship, Christian Life, Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Distorted Christianity

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 7, 2023

Q: What does the Church think of God the Father? A: He is omnipotent and holy. He created the world and imposed on mankind conditions impossible to fulfill; he is very angry if these are not carried out. He sometimes interferes in an arbitrary way with judgments and miracles, distributed with a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 2 Timothy 3:1-6

Tags: Slander, Misconceptions, Ignorance, Distortion, Dorothy Sayers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Consistent Christians

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Sep 20, 2008

Consistent Christians I was getting ready to do some research for my weekly sermon so I entered my office and flipped the light switch to the "on" position. It seemed that as soon as I had touched the toggle there was an instantaneous burst of bright light from the light bulb for a millionth of a ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: *other

Ironman Christians

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

Ironman Christians Have you heard of the Ironman Triathlon? It’s held every fall in the US city of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, the race encompasses three endurance events; a 2.4 mile ocean swim in Kailua-Kona Bay, a 112 mile bike ride across the Hawaiian lava desert to Hawi and back, and then to top it ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Christian Hedonism

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

Christian Hedonism Charles Hodge argued that true knowledge of Christ includes delight in Christ. He said this knowledge "is not the apprehension of what He is, simply by intellect, but also involves, not merely as a consequence but as one of its elements, the corresponding feeling of adoration, ...read more

Tags: Joy

What Is Christianity?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY? A number of years ago, in preparation for a discussion period on a Christian radio program, an interviewer went into the streets of Philadelphia to ask people this question: "What is Christianity." The answers were surprising. Some said that Christianity is "the American ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Weird Christians

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 12, 2009

WEIRD CHRISTIANS Unchurched Americans think Christians are weird, but it’s not for the reason you might think. Fifty-seven percent of the unchurched wonder why Christian friends and neighbors never talk with them about spiritual matters. To the majority of those outside the church, believers are ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

37% Of Christians Shop In Christian Stores. A New ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 16, 2006

37% of Christians shop in Christian stores. A new CBA-Barna survey reveals that 34% of adults have shopped in a store that specializes in Christian products in the last 6months, up from 30% in ’91. Close to 4 in 10 Christians (37% or roughly 6 million people) visit a Christian store in a typical ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

80% Of Christians And 69% Of Non-Christians Feel ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 20, 2007

80% of Christians and 69% of non-Christians feel they “are an outstanding role model for young ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

In A Dvd Presentation Of The Work Of A Christian ...

Contributed by Peter Bines on Jan 22, 2008

In a DVD presentation of the work of a Christian Hospital in Madagascar one particularly encouraging story was that of an elderly and blind woman who walked to the hospital with her daughter. She was checked out by the eye specialist who found that, sadly, one eye was completely useless; but the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christian Games: In Its 3rd Year, The Christian ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2006

Christian Games: In its 3rd year, the Christian Game Developers Conference drew record attendance over July 31-August 1, reflecting growth in the $100 million/year ...read more

Tags: Entertainment

The Historical Credentials Of Christianity  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2005

THE HISTORICAL CREDENTIALS OF CHRISTIANITY There exists no document from the ancient world, witnessed by so excellent a set of textual and historical testimonies . . . Skepticism regarding the historical credentials of Christianity is based upon an irrational bias. ~Clark Pinnock, Mcmaster ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Apologetics The Bible, Jesus Life

It Is As Contradictory For A Christian To Go On ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jun 25, 2005

“It is as contradictory for a Christian to go on sinning as it is for a dead man to go on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15

Tags: Sin Deceptive

Experience In The Christian Walk Is To Be A ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 12, 2005

Experience in the Christian walk is to be a learning tool. You don’t learn truth by just mentally remembering it, you learn it by experiencing it in your life. God teaches you his word though experience. Sometimes stressful ones. What is the difference between a typewriter and a computer??? ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:49-56

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Wesleyan

As Christian Workers, Worldliness Is Not The ...

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 31, 2005

As Christian workers, worldliness is not the trap which most endangers us; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God. Unless the worker lives a life hidden with Christ in God, he is apt to become ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Exclusivity Of The Christian Faith Is Not A ...

Contributed by Scott Weber on Dec 21, 2005

The exclusivity of the Christian faith is not a popular claim in our culture. We are told we should consider all religions equally valid. Barbara Walters had a special on television this past Tuesday about heaven. In it she interviewed several “religious experts.” But the ones she is drawn to ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Evangelical Christians Are…

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Evangelical Christians Are: · Slightly more likely to be female and aged 50 and older than the overall national adult population. · Somewhat less likely to be college grads than the total population, but incomes mirror the national population. · Most prevalent in the South, least so in the East ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Christian Shopper Facts

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

Christian Shopper Facts: George Barna’s 2003 Update: Christian Bookstore Shopping reports: · 14% of all U.S. women are frequent Christian-store shoppers. · 15% of Boomers (born between ’46 and ’64) are Christian-store frequent shoppers. · Evangelical’s account for 69% of the most active Christian ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

To Be A Christian Means To Forgive The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2006

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others