In Sermon Illustrations: "Commitment To God"

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Motives For Meditation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Dietrich Bonhoeffer required his seminarians to give half an hour each morning to scripture meditation. Many of the students struggled with this task, so he wrote these instructions to help them understand the importance of meditation and to help them learn how to meditate on God’s Word. Why do I ...read more

Tags: Prayer, Word Of God, Meditation, Quiet Time, Spiritual Discipline, Devotionals, Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Did Jesus Really Die On The Cross?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

One lady sent in a letter to a religious question and answer forum. "Dear Sirs, Our preacher said on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health because he just fainted on Good Friday. He didn't really die and he wasn't really raised ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:1-2

Tags: Easter, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Son Of Man, Cross, Son Of God, Empty Grave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It May Get Worse After You Leave!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 12, 2024

A pastor was leaving his area and was saying farewell to his congregation at the Church doors for the last time. He shook the hand of an elderly lady as she walked out. She said, "Your successor won't be as good as you." "Nonsense", said the pastor, in a flattered tone. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Tags: Pastors, Church Members, Boring, Sermons, Preachers, Church, Preaching, Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[165]. A Message From A Poem – Kindness In The Christian’s Pain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 15, 2025

[165]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – KINDNESS IN THE CHRISTIAN’S PAIN We all need kindness, but not everyone can give kindness. Some find it too hard because of their backgrounds, and some are just so selfish they are incapable of it. Kindness is a special gift when it is given in a sacrificial way, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 2:7, Galatians 5:22

Tags: Pain, Compassion, Kindness, Great High Priest, Christian Poems, God Is Kind  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Doctor Explains Heaven To Dying Patient

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 24, 2025

Christian Doctor Explains Heaven to Dying Patient Wayne Brouwer told about a very sick man home on hospice. His doctor had come to see him that day, and as the doctor was leaving the room, the patient said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." *Very ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Solomon's Temple, Mother's Womb, God's Presence, God's Creation, King David, Fearfully Made, Wonderfully Made, Nathan The Prophet, Light, Darkness, Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

We Are Fearfully And Wonderfully Made!

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 25, 2025

First in vs. 13, "LORD, You formed me." Or as David said: "You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb." *LORD, YOU formed me. James Merritt explained that David knew we are a physical miracle created by the power of God. . . David was saying, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Fearfully Made, God's Omnipotence, Wonderfully Made, Nathan The Prophet, Solomon's Temple, Mother's Womb, Light, Darkness, Omniscience, Omnipresence, God's Presence, King David, Creation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Fiction

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 20, 2024

In a humorous yet thought-provoking comment, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson critiqued movies like 'Armageddon' and 'Moonfall' for violating more laws of physics per minute than any other movies. This observation serves as an interesting analogy for our spiritual lives. Much like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Fiction, Physics, Gift Of God, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Eternal Consequences, Movie Analogies, Spiritual Life, Reality, Jesus Christ, Eternal Life, Disobedience, God's Law, Forgiveness, Sin, God, Salvation, Gift, Redemption, Faith, Death, Sacrifice, Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[114]. A Message From A Poem – Have You Studied A Fish’s Head?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 22, 2025

[114]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVE YOU STUDIED A FISH’S HEAD? Perhaps the title of this poem seems strange but the fact of it is not strange. God has put His stamp on all creation. All is so intricately designed and interlocked. Man can not create even a flea yet alone some godless evolution ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-2, Genesis 1:20-21

Tags: Fish Head, Darwin, After Their Kind, Symmetry, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, God Is The Creator, Evolution, Design, Perfection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Nail Among The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2009

A NAIL AMONG THE COINS Emil Mettler was a restaurateur in London who was a close friend of Albert Schweitzer. Mettler would not allow a Christian worker to pay for a meal. He once opened his register in the presence of a Secretary of the London Missionary Society. The Secretary was astonished to ...read more

Tags: Stewardship

Oil Was Discovered On Some Oklahoma Property ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Lobbs on Mar 1, 2001

Oil was discovered on some Oklahoma property belonging to an elderly Indian. All his life he had been poverty stricken, just eking out a living. But the discovery of oil had suddenly made him a very wealthy man. The first thing he bought was a very big Cadillac. He wanted the longest car in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-6

Tags: Excercising Faith, Essentials Of Faith, God's Omnipotence, Gift, Holy Spirit Attributes, Prosperity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jackie Chan Movie. This Man Is Very Innovative ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 3, 2001

Jackie Chan movie. This man is very innovative in the way that he makes fight scenes. Instead of just using normal karate chops and the like, he will use common every day items and create unbelievable fight scenes with them. In one scene, he fights off dozens of men with a common every day step ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Jesus, Jesus Teachings, Hands, God The Father, Faith And Works, Wonder  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

I've Always Liked The Story Of The 3 Old Widows ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 14, 2001

I’ve always liked the story of the 3 old widows who lived together. One sister got up to go to bed, half way up the stairs she stopped and asked "was I going up or was I coming down" One sister replied with hint of aggravation, "you were going up to bed." A second sister headed into the kitchen ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 28:29, Numbers 10:10, Joshua 4:1-24

Tags: Remember, Memorial, God's Omniscience, Friendship New Friends, Aging, Christian Love, Forgetfulness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There Are Advantages To Being Able To See. For ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

There are advantages to being able to see. For example, when I was a seminary student, I went to apply for a driver license. The clerk at the Department of Motor Vehicles asked me to read a line on the eye chart. I responded by reading a series of what I thought the correct letters were. To this, ...read more

Tags: Display, Honor, Kingdom Of God, Holy Spirit Attributes, Love Of The Disciples, Lord, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

A Professor One Day Demonstrated To His Class ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Bley on Jul 11, 2001

A professor one day demonstrated to his class the power of an electro-magnet. He placed 2 lbs. of nails on a table with the wires of an electo-magnet under the table. When he flipped the switch, the nails came togehter and he was able to form the nails into various shapes as long as the current ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Gifts Discernment, Holy Spirit In Believers, Oneness, Power Of Unity, Unity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Not The Gift, But The Giver  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Apr 9, 2002

NOT THE GIFT, BUT THE GIVER A man told a story about the time his son’s sixth birthday was approaching. He had mentioned he wouldn’t mind a party, and as his son usually was very specific about the kind of presents he liked. The dad asked him what he could get him. Bill expected a well-planned ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Blessing, Father, Father's Day, Giving, Relationships, Parenting, Worship God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is Good!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2002

THIS IS GOOD! The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!" One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3, Romans 8:28

Tags: God In The Hardships, Goodness, All Things Work For Good, Hope, Positive, Struggles, Trial  (view more)  (view less)

Let Me Tell You A Story From Alberta History: ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 12, 2002

Let me tell you a story from Alberta history: Cree Chief Maskepetoon met Rev. Robert Rundle, and at their first meeting declared "I will never become a Christian as long as there are horses to steal and scalps to take." Nevertheless Maskepetoon became a staunch friend to Rundle and his attitude ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20

Tags: Christian Liberty, Anxiety, Forgiveness General, God's Image, Prayer, Moving Forward, Supplication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

No Place To Hide

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Oct 14, 2018

In 1980 I was hired as a City Police Officer in a small Midwest town with a population of 2200. The first week on duty we closed an investigation of a local man who held a position in the School system. He had gained the confidence of the parents, students, and the community. After a traffic ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:24, Luke 12:2-3, Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Judgement, Hidden Sin, Sin Revealed, Running From God, Judgement Seat Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

The Flag And The Cross

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 1, 2020

Symbols evoke feelings of adoration or hatred. In this election year, the elephant and donkey mean different things to different people. Let's talk about a symbol that all Americans should be able to adore. In 1813 General Armistead commissioned Mary Pickersgill to make a huge flag that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 2:15

Tags: Patriotic, Cross, Power Of God, United States, National Anthem, Flag Of United States  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Humanism

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2020

"During the construction of Emerson Hall at Harvard University, president Charles Eliot invited psychologist and philosopher William James to suggest a suitable inscription for the stone lintel over the doors of the philosophy department. After some reflection, James sent Eliot a line from ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Jude 1:25, Ephesians 3:21, 2 Corinthians 10:17, Romans 16:27, Psalm 8:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Glory, Man, Humanism, Boast, Glorifying, God, Doxology, Perspective, Pride, Worldview, Orientation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic