In Sermon Illustrations: "Church Purpose Of"

Francois Fenelon Was The Court Preacher For King ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis demanded, "What does this mean?" Fenelon replied, "I had published ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Faith Vs. Works, Worship Definition

Denomination: Mennonite

One Young Man Asked, "I Am In Earnest About ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

One young man asked, "I am in earnest about forsaking ’the world’ and following Christ. But I am puzzled about worldly things. What is it I must forsake?” "Colored clothes, for one thing. Get rid of everything in your wardrobe that is not white. Stop sleeping on a soft pillow. Sell your musical ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, God's Provision, Church Practices

Denomination: Mennonite

What Is The Goal Of Playing Football?  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 31, 2002

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF PLAYING FOOTBALL? Well, of course, we would say winning. But there is a clearer point than winning, it is scoring points. We might score 6 points in a touchdown, three points in a field goal, two points in a safety, or one point in a point after the touch down. WHAT IF I TOLD ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Gifts General, Leadership General

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Recently There Was An Article In The September 19 ...  PRO

Contributed by Roger Nix on Jan 11, 2003

Recently there was an article in the September 19 edition of the Washington Times entitled Aboard Flight 564. It reads: As it was at most US Airports, last Saturday was the first near normal day at Denver International since the terrorist attacks. On United Flight 564, the door had just been ...read more

Tags: Church Small Groups, Family, Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bible Says That "Today Is The Day Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Nov 4, 2003

The Bible says that “Today is the day of salvation.” Author Anne Lamott tells about a 7 year old girl who got lost in a big city. The girl frantically ran up and down several streets, looking for a familiar landmark. A policeman saw the girl, realized something was wrong, and offered to help. She ...read more

Tags: Church, Body Of Christ, Heaven, Home, What Is Evangelism?  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Things I Have Learned From Gardening  PRO

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 10, 2010

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM GARDENING • Nothing ever looks like it does on the seed packet. • Your lawn is always slightly bigger than your desire to mow it. • Whichever garden tool you want is always at the back of the shed. • The only way to ensure rain, is to give the garden a good soaking. ...read more

Tags: Creation, Growth, Discipleship, New Life, Church Planting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Words Leave A Lasting Impression

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 7, 2011

WORDS LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION As bad as it is to hear foul words, it is worse to speak them. A nobleman went to see how Josiah Wedgwood made his SUPERB POTTERY. A young apprentice was told to give the guest a tour of the factory. As they walked through the plant, the visitor began to use ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-21

Tags: Heaven, Message, Giving, Words, Tithing, Churches, Scroll  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

We Will Tell Your God On You!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 13, 2015

by Amy Carson Phillips (Adapted by Melvin Newland) “Night is falling on the Congo, O’er the jungles far and near. Soon the blackness will be brooding - He who walks will walk in fear. Yet no black man seeks his hut, All are waiting on the shore, Gazing, peering through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Poem, Mission Of Church, Evangelism, Hope, Africa, Despair  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preachers Who Make You Throw Up!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 12, 2019

A Pastor was doing his Children's Church sermon where all the kids come down to the front & hear a story. The Pastor was discussing the story of Jonah. He quoted the Scripture from Jonah: "The Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah upon the dry land." When the Pastor ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-7

Tags: Jonah, Bad Preaching, Children's Church, Embarrassing Moments

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For The Longest Time

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 10, 2020

For the Longest Time Chorus Oh, oh, oh For the longest time Oh, oh, oh For the longest Verse 1 When you said goodbye to me in March There was still more worship left to bring What else could I do? I'm so inspired by you Church hasn't happened for the longest time verse 2 Once I thought ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

Tags: Church, Worship, Singing, Pandemic, Covid19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strength Through Interconnectedness

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 5, 2020

Years ago, Jeanie and I visited the Redwood National Park in northern California. We stood in awe as we looked up to trees reaching over 350 feet. These trees have endured storms for over 1,000 years. The surprising thing is that their roots are very shallow—only about 10 to 12 feet deep. How does ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Tags: Community, Church, Perseverance, Unity, Cooperation, Difficulties, Storms  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

There Is The Enemy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Stedman illustrates this point noting that "As the Battle of Trafalgar was about to begin, Admiral Nelson came across two officers of his own flagship who were arguing hotly and about to take sword to each other. Nelson stepped between them and said, "Stop." Then, pointing to the ...read more

Tags: Church, Unity, Body Of Christ, Working Together, Division  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Macarthur On Contemporary Preaching

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

"Many churches today are filled to overflowing with those who want their ears tickled with the myths of easy believism and so called positive thinking. They come to have their egos fed and their sins approved, not to have their hearts cleansed and their souls saved. They want only to feel ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:6-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, Churches, The Word Of God, The Bible, Liberalism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good News, Bad News Laughs

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 13, 2022

Good News: You baptised seven people today in the river.Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current. Good News: The women's group voted to send you a get-well card.Bad News: The vote passed by 31-30. Good News: The trustees finally voted to add more church parking. Bad News: They are ...read more

Tags: Jokes, Sermons, Sermon Introductions, Humor, Pastors, Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A.w. Tozer On The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Garris Hudson 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 Garris Hudson 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: Pastors, Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Melt The Saints And Get Them Into Circulation!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 4, 2022

During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. Representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the emergency. After one month, the committee returned with its report. "We have searched the Empire in vain seeking ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Gospel, Witnessing, Lost, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How A Pastor Loved His Enemy

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 2, 2023

In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded sort who did all he could to oppose and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Hate, Pastors, Churches, Enemies, Division  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 2, 2023

A well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the startled interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13

Tags: Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples, Spiritual Gifts, Volunteers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Does Your Ministry Rely Upon God's Power?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 15, 2023

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”) Platt went on to say, "This is where I am most convicted as a pastor. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Ephesians 5:18

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational