In Sermon Illustrations: "Continue In Faith"

Fear Of The Resurrection

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 2, 2012

FEAR OF THE RESURRECTION In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave on which were placed huge slabs of granite and marble cemented together and fastened with heavy steel clasps. It belongs to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Yet strangely, she directed in her will ...read more

Tags: Men's Day

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Statistics On Prayer

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 8, 2012

STATISTICS ON PRAYER Barna research says slightly more than four out of five adults in the U.S. (84%) claim they had prayed in the past week. That has been the case since Barna began tracking the frequency of prayer in 1993. A Newsweek poll titled "Is God Listening?" indicated that, of those who ...read more

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Choice Of Sheep And Goats

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 27, 2012

THE CHOICE OF SHEEP AND GOATS I tried and tried to think of a common example that could be used to illustrate this separation of the sheep from the goats but was unable to do so because this situation is so unique and the reason it is so unique is because the sheep and the goats have chosen their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Tags: Judgement, Salvation, Free Will, Sheep And Goats, Free Moral Agency  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Bold Witness

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Hugh Hewitt in his book “The Embarassed Believer” contends that most Christian are embarrassed believers. They do not talk about their faith or church. They don’t have Bibles on the corner of their desks. They never engage others in spiritual conversations. And the result has been the dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Tags: Witness, Witnessing, Embarrassed

Denomination: Methodist

Bobby Richardson - Witnessing In The World Series!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 17, 2017

Bobby Richardson is one of my spiritual heroes. What a blessing to meet this awesome witness for Christ who led Mickey Mantle to faith in Christ before he died. This story makes me love Bobby even more! It was the seventh game of the 1962 World Series between the New York Yankees and the San ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-20

Tags: Evangelism, Eternity, Gospel, Witnessing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Punishment In Another’s Place

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment we deserve. Key Verses: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23-25

Tags: Salvation, Propitiation, Sacrifice Of Christ

Denomination: Charismatic

Wiretap Into Your Home

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

The church is the bride of Christ. If we love the groom (Jesus), we will look for positive things to say about the bride (the church). Bob Russell tells a story about how years ago, when there were multiple party telephone lines, a preacher picked up the telephone to make a call but couldn’t get ...read more

Scripture: John 13:35, 2 Corinthians 11:28-29

Tags: Evangelism, Love For The Church, Speak Positively

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-12, Romans 1:16

Tags: Testimony, Unashamed, Unafraid, Evangelism, Commitment, Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servanthood

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 4, 2022

As Christians can find all kinds of ways to minister in the name of Jesus. For example, there are 21,800 patients per year who receive chemotherapy treatments in Louisville, Kentucky, and most lose their hair. When Lynette Le Gette discovered this, it brought her to tears. She ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Acts 9:32-43

Tags: Servanthood, Good Deeds

Denomination: Lutheran

Do You Have This Much Self Control?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

I heard a funny story about a stunt pilot who was selling rides in his single engine airplane. One day he got into an argument with a pastor who insisted on taking his wife along at no extra charge. Not wanting to miss out on a chance to make some cash, the pilot said, “I’ll take you both up for ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Marriage, Self Denial, Fruit Of The Spirit, Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Character Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Things That Unite Us As Believers

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 2, 2023

Have you ever worked at a job where you felt a strong bond with your co-workers? Perhaps you were united by a sense of mission, or by a respect for your boss, or by the belief that a prosperous company will benefit everyone financially. The more points of agreement among members of a group, the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13, Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Fellowship, Church, Unity, One, Undivided, Division  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Game Of Redemption And Unity

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

In Korea, there's a popular game called "Ice or Free." The rules are simple: one person is 'it' and chases others. Players can freeze themselves if cornered by shouting "Ice," becoming immune to being tagged. They remain frozen until a teammate tags them, setting ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Tags: Spiritual Support, Christian, Responsibility, Redemption, Unity, Cycle, Spiritual Growth, Community  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Reason To Give Thanks

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 24, 2024

Do you remember Erma Bombeck, the homemaker who spun humorous anecdotes about suburban family life into a column syndicated to about 700 newspapers, television commentary, speeches across the country and books with titles such as “The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank,” “Just Wait Till ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thankfulness, Assurance, Erma Bombeck

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Retold From "The Book Of Virtues" ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 2, 2003

ILLUSTRATION… Retold from "The Book of Virtues" Editor: William J. Bennett There is a story that centers on a king and the members of his court who were continually full of flattery. "You are the greatest man that ever lived...You are the most powerful king of all...Your highness, there is nothing ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Rededication

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There Goes My Life  PRO

Contributed by Scott Sharpes on Dec 17, 2003

THERE GOES MY LIFE Kenny Chesney has a new song/music video out entitled, “There Goes My Life…” It’s a ballad focusing on the life of two young kids in high school that find themselves in a crisis moment of a pregnancy out of wedlock. (I want to say here that I’m not advocating the immoral ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Christmas

Denomination: Nazarene

One Day I Received A Telephone Call From A ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 22, 2004

One day I received a telephone call from a friend. He was working for his doctorate in one of the most prestigious theological seminaries in America. He asked if I would go with him to call on the head of the seminary, who was also his professor. He explained to me that hisprofessor was a good ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Discipleship [ Taken From "Jesus In ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Buchner on Jul 24, 2004

A Call to Discipleship [ taken from “Jesus in Blue Jeans” by Laurie Beth Jones.] [“In this country, it is not only improper—it is technically illegal to be served with a dirty plate. Salad bars post signs indicating that the health department requires that each time you step up to the buffet, you ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Methodist

I Was In A Christian Bookstore In St. Louis Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 2, 2004

I was in a Christian bookstore in St. Louis not that long ago. I was walking around looking at the different books on the shelves and trinkets that you could buy. I really didn’t see much that I thought was worth my attention, so I started heading to the door. Before I got to the door, however, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Tags: Misconceptions

Running Home To Mama!" Matthew 5:25-26 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 1, 2005

“Running Home to Mama!” Matthew 5:25-26 Key verse(s): 25:“‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking your to court.’” There is a point of departure where disagreement becomes conflict. It’s that point of departure that is most critical in the process of making friends or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:25-26

Tags: Character

Denomination: Lutheran

May 26, 2002, Memorial Day Weekend, A Barge Pilot ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 16, 2005

May 26, 2002, Memorial day weekend, a barge pilot passed out and hit a bridge span of I-40 over the Arkansas river. This accident dropped a 600 foot span of the bridge 62 feet into the swift flowing river below. Eleven people (and a trailer full of show horses) died as their cars and 18-wheelers ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Evangelism Urgency