In Sermon Illustrations: "Common Ground"

True Unity  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2011

TRUE UNITY Unity is not simply an intellectual exercise. We can believe the same things, recite the same creeds, belong to the same denomination, but that does not mean we have unity. In his book Soul Talk, Larry Crabb writes: "Which is worse? A church program to build community that doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, Ephesians 4:1-22, 1 Samuel 25:14-35

Tags: Unity

The More Precious Gift

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 2, 2011

THE MORE PRECIOUS GIFT It is not easy always for people to understand the significance of a gift, or the sacrifices that went behind it. Two students shared a room in college. After returning from the Christmas' winter break, Andrew asked his roommate what presents he has received for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas

Being A Blessing

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 25, 2013

BEING A BLESSING Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter. This family made a big impression on me. There were 8 children, all probably under the age of 12. You could tell ...read more

Tags: Blessing

Denomination: Baptist

An Old Feud And A New Bridge  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 6, 2013

AN OLD FEUD AND A NEW BRIDGE There were two old geezers living in the backwoods of the Ozarks: Rufus and Clarence. They lived on opposite sides of the river and they hated each other. Every morning, just after sunup, Rufus and Clarence would go down to their respective sides of the river and yell ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-33

Tags: Fear And Worry

War

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

WAR My life fell apart in the summer of ‘68. One minute I was the happiest man in the world then wham! It was all over. My countenance changed from a look of total contentment into one filled with agony and anguish. Here I was living in total rapture, married to the woman of my dreams. It’s hard ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Tags: War, Battle

Denomination: Pentecostal

Biblical Principles Of Work

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 15, 2019

1) Work is ordained by God. It was His creative invention from the beginning. By working, we resemble God. Like God, you have the ability to work, make plans, implement them, and be creative. Additionally, God gave us the task of ruling over and taking care of His creation (Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28

Tags: Work, Business

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroes—barzillai The Gileadite, Part 1

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 2, 2020

Introduction: Barzillai is one of many in the Bible who is mentioned only a few times, but his deeds more than make up for any lack of coverage. When David fled for his life during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15-18), he eventually crossed the Jordan River. Barzillai and some other people met the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:26-29

Tags: David, Barzillai, Gilead, Mahanaim

Denomination: Baptist

Acorn Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 10, 2021

I love fall. I love the cooler weather. I love the changing colors. I love football. I love fall with this exception—raking leaves. I have a big oak tree out in my front hard and it is amazing how many leaves that tree can produce. I was out raking the other day and not only was I amazed at all ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Tags: Patience, Steadfastness, Parable, Endurance, Autumn, Sower, Seed, Parables, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Motives For Meditation

Contributed by Garris Hudson 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: Meditation, Quiet Time, Spiritual Discipline, Devotionals, Bible, Prayer, Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[006]. A Message From A Poem - A New Creation - From Death Unto Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 29, 2024

[006]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A NEW CREATION - FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE This is an unusual poem that may not appeal to everyone, but it is based on emotions experienced by many who don’t know Jesus in their lives. The first, third and fifth stanzas are the viewpoint of one suffering in his/her ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:20, Ecclesiastes 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Solution, No Hope, No Satisfaction, Salvation, Miserable  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Simeon The Pillar Hermit

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

Simeon was probably like most boys his age in A.D. 403. The 13-year-old spent much of his time caring for his father's flocks on the hillside of Cilicia. But one day, while listening to a sermon on the beatitudes, stirred and changed he left his home and family and began a lifelong pursuit of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Separation, Holiness, Finding God, Monks, Intimacy With God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[111]. A Message From A Poem – Harvest Through Death

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 19, 2025

[111]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HARVEST THROUGH DEATH This poem lay for 27 years waiting to be finished and now it is. Its theme is the fruit of Christ’s sacrifice as the Grain of Wheat. Jesus told to Andrew and Philip a truth I am sure the disciples did not understand. {{John 12:24-25 “Truly, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, John 12:24-25

Tags: Dying To Oneself, Harvest, Upon This Rock, Redeemed, Souls, Grain Of Wheat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Donkey That Spoke

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 24, 2025

My name? Oh, I’m Sassy—the braying donkey. Not the fastest, not the strongest… and definitely not the prettiest. But I’ve got a good heart — and a loud voice! (pause) Most days I carry my master, Balaam. He’s a prophet—important and proud. I don’t mind. I’m used to carrying heavy loads. But one ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:28-31, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 16:9, John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 1:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Obedience, Faithfulness, Courage, Voice, Listening  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

True Or False?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 20, 2002

TRUE OR FALSE? Palm Sunday celebrates the day Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Test your knowledge of that day’s events, recorded in all four Gospels, with these true or false statements. 1. According to the Gospels, the people waved palm branches when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-10

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

As A Kid, I Loved This Gilligan's Island! I ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Huffhine on May 27, 2004

As a kid, I loved this Gilligan’s Island! I would jump off of the school bus, race across the yard, bolt through the door and down the hall to dump my books off on my bed, get back to the living room just in time to plop on the floor 12 inches away from the screen (yes mom, I know I’ll hurt my ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Free Methodist

Ask The Coach! (10.27.05--Making It!--Joshua ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 25, 2005

Ask the Coach! (10.27.05--Making It!--Joshua 9:14-15) I grew up in a time and place of heroes. Mostly my heroes were TV cowboys like Roy Rogers or the Cisco Kid. In those days there was something common to nearly every TV show--the hero had someone else standing beside him. Roy had Dale, his wife; ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:14-15

Tags: Character, Peace

Denomination: Lutheran

Excellent Congregations: Excellent Protestant ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 16, 2006

Excellent Congregations: Excellent Protestant Congregations, by Paul Wilkes and published by Westminster John Knox Press identified the following 26 common traits among the "excellent" protestant congregations. 1. A vibrancy about living a Christian life...living on the creative and holy edge of ...read more

Tags: Church General

Shouts Of Praise  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Shouts of Praise There is a loud declaration of our Lord's purpose for coming to earth at the triumphal entry. "As Jesus approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives... Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-10

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness "The Sermon on the Mount" explains the true intent of the law which cancels the natural responses of man and calls for supernatural behavior. Righteousness is an attribute of God. Jesus gives Christians a glorious hope and reward that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Everybody's Doing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

“Everybody’s doing it.” This is a common phrase used today to excuse our behavior, but it is no excuse. We were shocked a decade ago when youth ministries guru Josh McDowell did an extensive survey of Bible-believing church teens that showed that more than half of them were sexually active, even ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Tags: Purity