In Sermon Illustrations: "Christmas Present"

Father, Forgive Them

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 11, 2015

The word ‘forgive’ in this passage is in the imperfect tense. We tend to think it is in the present tense and that Jesus prayed this prayer once and then moved on. The imperfect tense in Greek means that the prayer is not said once but continuously, through the scourging and the crucifixion as he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-38

Tags: Forgive, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Methodist

Hellen Keller ...

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 26, 2009

ILLUSTRATION… Hellen Keller (p) Whenever I read this passage, I cannot help but think of another movie! I think of the 1962 (and in 1979) movie about Hellen Keller called “The Miracle Worker.” Hellen Keller was deaf and blind and could not communicate. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan arrived at ...read more

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is God In Residence?

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

IS GOD IN RESIDENCE? I once saw a poster of a valentine-shaped heart with a castle on top of it. There was a flag with a slogan, oversized and coming out of the top of the castle. The slogan read: "Joy is the banner flown from the heart when the King is in residence." Well, stupid me, I didn’t ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: *other

Our Professor Has No Brain!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 13, 2022

A college student was in a philosophy class, which had a discussion about God's existence. The professor presented the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, nobody spoke. "Has anyone in ...read more

Tags: Science, God, Atheists, Bible, Genesis, Evolution, Apologetics  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The ‘holy Grail' Of Super Glues!" John 17:1-5 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 15, 2005

“The ‘Holy Grail’ of Super Glues!” John 17:1-5 Key verse(s) 4:“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” It takes a special hand to deal with glue! Some are born to handle the sticky and others not. I am one of the latter lot. While, like most men, I find the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-5, Ephesians 4:1-6

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Lutheran

The Best Thanksgiving Ever

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus They lived a comfortable life in the upscale part of town, the children were teen and pre-teen then and had most anything their hearts desired. They had begun to recite their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Gratitude, Serving Others, Giving Spirit

Denomination: Charismatic

Some Thoughts About Gifts

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 26, 2022

Text, 2 Corinthians 9:15, KJV: 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Thoughts: This is about the closest verse I can find to use as a text for this illustration. There may be others but please remember that God’s greatest gift ever was His Son, Jesus! Now I’ll share the illustration ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Tags: Love, Gifts

Denomination: Baptist

We Never Thought We Were Poor

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

WE NEVER THOUGHT WE WERE POOR Eddie Ogan
writes: I’ll never forget Christmas 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12 and my older sister Darlene was 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Methodist

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

Marbles Of Love ...

Contributed by Joe Fain on Apr 6, 2009

Marbles of love ministry (As presented to Bible Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, KY 40456) 1151 s. dogwood drive berea, KY 40403 859-302-2622 cjf3309@windstream.net Greetings in Christ Name: We would like to introduce you to a ministry that we feel God has laid upon our hearts to ...read more

Tags: Outreach

Denomination: Baptist

Does Evil Exist?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

DOES EVIL EXIST? Romans 8:28 We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him... Sometimes we just want things to turn out well--especially in a bad situation. Before Tom left for deployment to Iraq, he prayed that God will guide him in doing good in a land full of ...read more

Tags: Grace

John Curzon And The Watch  PRO

Contributed by Greg Yount on Oct 28, 2001

John Curzon, a Polish mechanic, who was presented with a gold medal for his inventions, performed a most extraordinary thing when he succeeded in manufacturing a complete watch in the space of 8 hours from materials on which most watchmakers would have looked with contempt. It appears that the ...read more

Tags: Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Baptist

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Senior, Was A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

Ill: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Senior, was a physian. As such he was very interested in the use of ether. (Ether was used to put people to sleep in the 19th century.) In order to know how his patients felt under its influence, he once had a dose administered to himself. -As he was going under, in a ...read more

What Prayer Is…  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 6, 2002

What Prayer Is… Prayer is coming into the presence of God… Prayer is entering the throne room of the KING of kings and LORD of lords… Prayer is taking our concerns to the one who cares for me Prayer is to stand on holy ground… Prayer is communicating with the creator of the world…(the one spoke ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Has Always Been Tough To Be A Young Person ...  PRO

Contributed by James Chandler on Apr 1, 2003

It has always been tough to be a young person growing up. And it has always been tough to be a parent and raise children into adults. Consider these quotes: "I see no hope for the future for people if they are dependent on the frivilous youth of today. For certainly all youth are reckless beyond ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:2

Tags: Authority, Children

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blending In  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 22, 2004

BLENDING IN A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy and he read the following question in the exam paper: "You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On investigation you find that a large hole has been blown ...read more

Tags: Christian Values, Love Of The Disciples, Misconceptions

Denomination: Anglican

Several Years Ago In An Interview During His ...

Contributed by Brian Oberg on Jul 22, 2005

Several years ago in an interview during his battle with cancer, theologian Francis Schaeffer said, “The only way to be foolishly happy in this world is to be young enough, well enough, and have money enough—and not give a care about other people. But as soon as you don’t have any ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Baptist

Death Row Facts

Contributed by James Tidwell on Aug 7, 2005

Death Row Facts • As of December 31, 1999, the death penalty was authorized by 38 states and the Federal Government. • There are five methods of execution in the United States: lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, hanging, and firing squad. • 3,581 offenders were under sentence of death in ...read more

Tags: Sin Punishment Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young Police Officer Was Taking His Final Exam ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 16, 2005

A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy. And he comes across this question: “You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On investigation you find that a large hole has been blown in the footpath and there is an ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, Emotions

Denomination: Anglican

God Thought About My Future Before I Even Had A ...

Contributed by Randall Bergsma on Dec 5, 2006

God thought about my future before I even had a present! Let me explain. I know that some of you are already saving money for sending your kids to future education. And you don’t even have kids yet! You are pre-planning! That’s awesome. That’s the love of a parent, getting ready to give that ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed