In Sermon Illustrations: "Coming Judgment"

A Brother Like That  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

A BROTHER LIKE THAT A friend of mine named Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Mister?" he asked. Paul nodded. "My brother gave ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Christmas

Should We Evangelize Jewish People?

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 16, 2008

SHOULD WE EVANGELIZE JEWISH PEOPLE? The men who have come to Galatia believe they have the answer to a dilemma that has come upon the early church: what to do with the non-Jews who were entering the church. See, at the very beginning of the creation of the church in Acts chapter 2, all those who ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Marriage Confession  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Oct 3, 2008

A Marriage Confession I have a confession to make this morning. I am really not sure how to say this to you. I am embarrassed, ashamed, and really fearful of what you might think of me once you know the truth. I must confess to you this morning that my wife, Ronda, and I have irreconcilable ...read more

Tags: Understanding, Unity

Denomination: Church Of God

Man In The Iron ...

Contributed by Jeff Osborne on Oct 16, 2008

Man in the Iron Cage In John Bunyan’s book The Pilgrim’s Progress, he tells us of a character, known only as a man in an Iron Cage. This man’s character comes from the verse in Lu 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gift Nobody Wants

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

The Gift Nobody Wants In 1999 Dr Paul Brand and Philip Yancey co-wrote a book called "Pain: the Gift Nobody Wants." Dr Brand was born in India to missionary parents, and has spent most of his life caring for people with leprosy. One of Dr Brand's greatest discoveries was that people with leprosy ...read more

Tags: Guilt

Thanksliving

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Nov 26, 2008

THANKSLIVING Last week I shared with you a story about a young man with bipolar disorder that died while I was a chaplain. For those of you who were with us, do you remember that? How the parents stayed with him and were there for him even though he put them through so much hell. They were there ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Church Of God

For A Project For World Religions Class, I ...  PRO

Contributed by Christopher Kennedy on Jan 23, 2009

For a project for World Religions class, I interviewed a Muslim named Karim. Karim moved to America a couple decades ago. He worked at a restaurant and fell in love with one of the waitresses there, Susie. The two of them decided to get married. She took him home to meet her mother, a life-long ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Lutheran

In Verse 2, God Does Something About Moses' ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 11, 2009

In verse 2, God does something about Moses’ problem. God gives him a sign. God asks Moses about the familiar symbol of his profession—the rod. A rod is not only used for protection and for sorting the sheep, but it is a symbol of authority. So God orders Moses to throw the symbol of his personal ...read more

Tags: Moses

Denomination: *other

Twin Brothers And A Dollar

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2009

TWIN BROTHERS AND A DOLLAR In his book, The Preaching Event, John Claypool tells a poignant story about identical twin brothers who never married because they enjoyed each other’s company so much. When their father died, they took over his store and ran it together in a joyful collaboration. But ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General

Because One Gave

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

BECAUSE ONE GAVE Former seminary and pastor, George Gaston tells the following story that speaks to the value of attitude in giving. Years ago, I pastored a church that decided to build a worship center. The old building had suffered a major fire. Even so, our decision to build a new facility ...read more

Tags: Giving General

I Love The Tragedy, King Lear. In What I Think Is ...

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Mar 19, 2009

I love the tragedy, King Lear. In what I think is Shakespeare’s greatest play, the king divides his kingdom in thirds and decides to give the daughter that loves him most the best portion. When he makes his purpose known, the older two begin flattering him shamelessly. His oldest says, Sir, I ...read more

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Mennonite

God Just Needs A Voice  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

GOD JUST NEEDS A VOICE John Stott, a well-known British pastor and theologian, was invited to preach at the University of Sydney in Australia; but after he got there, he lost his voice. He describes his experience as follows: "What can you do with a missionary who has no voice? We had come to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:14-15, Matthew 1:18-24

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Cost Of Discipleship  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2009

COST OF DISCIPLESHIP I recently read the true story about a preacher who was standing at the door shaking hands as the congregation departed. He grabbed one man by the hand and pulled him aside. The preacher said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" The man replied, "I’m already in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

Tags: Discipleship, Follow, Deny, Gross

Wycliffe Bible Translator Chet Bitterman's Death ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 30, 2009

Wycliffe Bible Translator Chet Bitterman’s Death Motivated Others for Missionary Service Jesus Himself said that the end would come only after the “gospel of the Kingdom” is “preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations” (Matthew 24:14). As His coming approaches, Jesus wants the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:14

Tags: Missions, Bible Translation

Baptism Of Paul ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 21, 2010

Baptism of Paul Harvey Paul Harvey wrote about his own baptism. He said that even though he had received almost every reward for his broadcasting ability that he still felt empty inside. One summer, however, he and his wife were vacationing in a place called Cave Creek, AZ. Sunday morning came and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:21-22

Tags: Baptism

Mom's Chicken Soup Coupled With Forgiveness Wins ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 10, 2010

Mom’s Chicken Soup Coupled with Forgiveness Wins Over Disgruntled Church Member A lady tells as story that is a real picture of forgiveness. She says my mom, now in heaven, was a good cook. She was a good forgiver too and the combination of these two qualities resulted one day in an incident I love ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Enemigos Destruidos  PRO

Contributed by Rolando Delgado on Sep 22, 2010

ENEMIGOS DESTRUIDOS Se cuenta que cierto emperador chino, cuando le avisaron que en una de las provincias de su imperio había una insurrección, dijo a los ministros de su gobierno y a los jefes militares que lo rodeaban: "Vamos. Seguidme. Pronto destruiré a mis enemigos." Cuando el emperador y ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Pentecostal

Breaking The Heart Of The Father

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 30, 2010

BREAKING THE HEART OF THE FATHER D. J. Wilbur Chapman told a story related to him by R. A. Torrey of an old father and mother who determined to give their boy an education. They were as poor as they could be. They had a conference in their home, and decided to send their boy to the university. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:22-26

Tags: God The Father

Doing The Job Alone

Contributed by Jim Mccutchen on Oct 10, 2010

FROM: Joe Smith, Bricklayer RE: My Accident Claim I am writing in response to your request concerning Block #11 on the insurance form which asks for "the cause of injuries" wherein I put "trying to do the job alone." You said you needed more information, so I trust the following will be ...read more

Tags: Disappointment

Denomination: Christian Church

When My Son Was 5, He Wanted To Be A Fireman. ...

Contributed by Tony Klinedinst on Mar 9, 2009

When my son was 5, he wanted to be a fireman. That Halloween, we all new what his costume choice would be. So we got him a bright yellow fireman costume and set out for trick-or-treat. As we went his insisted that we go to the local firehouse. I thought that was a fine idea. They would pass out ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: Baptist