In Sermon Illustrations: "Christmas Miracle"

Room After All  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 21, 2002

ROOM AFTER ALL This is the story of a nine year-old boy named Wallace Purling. Larger than most kids, he was also slow in mind. But the children all liked him. He was so much bigger than they, but he never bullied them. In fact, he was the ever-present defender of the smaller boys. Wally wanted ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Diverse Gifts  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 16, 2003

[illustration] On Christmas morning, the children in a family do not usually all receive the same gifts. One gets a football, one a puzzle, another receives a doll house, and another a table game. Yet, although each child does not receive the same gifts as the others, the parents intend the gifts ...read more

Tags: Gifts General, God's Provision, God The Father

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe" The ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Waite on Nov 25, 2005

“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” the citizens of Narnia have lived under what seems to be an endless winter in discouragement and fear. However, there are rumors, coupled with hopes that “Aslan is on the move” and when He arrives He will right all wrongs. ("Wrong will be right,/When Aslan ...read more

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Man Came To The Church I Was Serving. He ...

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jun 25, 2009

A man came to the church I was serving. He needed help on Christmas Eve. After giving him some food I asked him where he goes to church. He never goes. I told him he was welcome here. He said, “I know I need God; He’s the only one who will never turn His back on you.” The man was ...read more

Tags: Repentance

Denomination: United Methodist

Years Ago, A Very Wealthy Man Shared With His ...

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 20, 2007

Years ago, a very wealthy man shared with his devoted young son a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Our Guide  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 5, 2003

OUR GUIDE Steven Simala Grant tells this story: I remember Christmas, 1980, when I was 9. My mom, who was a secretary in a small 3-person company, got a Christmas bonus – a trip for her and my brother and me to Disneyland. Plane and hotel, all covered – and even some cash. Her boss was not a ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13

Tags: Holy Spirit General, Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Baptist

Quotes On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

QUOTES ON HUMILITY Recently a pastor received a Christmas card with a note in it from a lady who attended a Christmas Eve service at the church. She was very complimentary about his preaching, comparing him with Billy Graham, saying, “I think you are one of the really great preachers of all time.” ...read more

Tags: Humility

Happiness Vs. Joy

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Dec 15, 2008

HAPPINESS VS. JOY There is a pretty common belief that differentiates between happiness and joy. This is one that I believe. Happiness is based on circumstances. Expensive gifts and good food and parties and celebrations and Christmas lights can bring happiness. But they are only temporary. They ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Church Of God

Give A Birthday Present To Jesus

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 29, 2007

Give A Birthday Present To Jesus. One year our church celebrated Christmas by giving a birthday present to Jesus. On the first Sunday in December, I asked the congregation to think about what Jesus Christ really meant to them, and to offer a gift on the altar to symbolize their love for Him and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Unopened Gifts  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 16, 2003

[illustration] Imagine how a parent would feel if on Christmas day when the gifts for their children were handed out, the children just took them, said “Thank you,” and laid them aside with no attempt to open the gifts not even to find out what they were! Imagine how the Lord must feel when he has ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Played Santa This Week At The Nursing Home - ...

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004

I played Santa this week at the nursing home - The outfit was fine but the beard was rank, so I had to spray it with something. - I hugged - asked if they were good little boys and girls, passed out gifts and even danced with some of the ladies. I couldn’t tell who really believed in Santa and ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Baptist

A Recent Newsweek Poll Found That "84 Percent Of ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 9, 2005

A recent Newsweek poll found that “84 percent of American adults consider themselves Christians, and 82 percent see Jesus as God or the son of God. Seventy-nine percent say they believe in the virgin birth, and 67 percent think the Christmas story — from the angels’ appearance to the Star of ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Methodist

When Orville And Wilbur Wright Finally Succeeded ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

When Orville and Wilbur Wright finally succeeded in flying the first airplane for fifty-nine seconds on December 17, 1903, they rushed a telegram to their sister in Dayton, Ohio, telling of their amazing accomplishment. The telegram read, "First sustained flight today fifty-nine seconds. Hope to be ...read more

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

The Great Secret

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

THE GREAT SECRET As a third-century man was near death, he penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy, which is a thousand times better than ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

And We Were Afraid  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2002

AND WE WERE AFRAID Writer and naturalist Anne Dillard tells of a cold Christmas Eve when she, then a young girl, and her family had come home from a late dinner out. Ginger ale and a plate of cookies sat on a special table. Dillard had taken off her winter coat and was warming herself on the ...read more

It Was A Chilly December Evening In Downtown ...  PRO

Contributed by Eric Hickman on Dec 16, 2002

It was a chilly December evening in downtown Chicago, and about a dozen people from a suburban Christian college were Christmas caroling. A few people stopped to listen. A black man edged closer as they sang. His head nodded in rhythm with the melody. He was probably in his 20s, but his tired and ...read more

Tags: Humility, Poverty, Giving General

Denomination: Church Of God

Once There Was A Church In Holland Once Which ...  PRO

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

Once there was a church in Holland once which felt strictly bound to obey God’s commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. On a certain Sunday the area was threatened by high wind and ferocious waves. If the dikes were not strengthened, the people would not survive. The police notified the pastor of ...read more

Tags: Commandments Sabbath

Denomination: Baptist

Prudentius (C. 348–after 405)

Contributed by Bishop Raymond Allan Johnson on Mar 3, 2005

Prudentius (c. 348-after 405) His power and miracles proclaim him God. I see the wild winds suddenly grow calm When Christ commands; I see the storm-tossed sea Grow smooth, with tranquil surface bright At Christ’s behest; I see the waves grow firm As the raging flood sustains his treading feet He ...read more

Tags: Endurance, God In The Hardships

Denomination: *other

Biblical Stories From Children  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 14, 2009

BIBLICAL STORIES FROM CHILDREN The church is meant to supplement what is done in the home. We have a tough job in this department, don’t we? I came across some true statements that kids made in a Sunday School class: "Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:7-9

Tags: Children, Ten Commandments

Satan As Amusing

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 31, 2010

SATAN AS AMUSING One of Satan's characteristic strategems is to give those who believe that he does exist an entirely wrong concept of what his true nature and character really are. In the Middle Ages, when there were no radios, no magazines, no newspapers, no movies, no telephones, and none of ...read more

Tags: Satan

Denomination: *other