In Sermon Illustrations: "Counting The Cost"

Bible Illiteracy

Contributed by Don Jones on Apr 1, 2009

BIBLE ILLITERACY During my days in New England, I heard of a teacher who quizzed a group of college-bound high school juniors and seniors on the Bible. The quiz preceded a Bible-as-literature course he planned to teach at the Newton (Massachusetts) High School, generally considered one of the best ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Baptist

The Wondrous Cross  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 18, 2009

THE WONDROUS CROSS Gal. 6:14 inspired Isaac Watts to compose one of modern Christendom’s favorite hymns. While preparing for a communion service in 1707, Isaac Watts wrote this deeply moving and very personal expression of gratitude for the amazing love that the death of Christ on the cross ...read more

Tags: Cross

Denomination: Other

The Scripture Texts We Will Be Looking At Today ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 11, 2009

The Scripture texts we will be looking at today continue to paint a portrait of two lives. These two life stories communicate to us today the importance of having integrity and a strong relationship with the Lord. David’s story shows how he was a man after God’s own heart. The result of this ...read more

Tags: David, Integrity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is He Like Bill?  PRO

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Oct 1, 2010

"IS HE LIKE BILL?" Bill was a drunk, converted at a city mission. Before his conversion he had gained a reputation as a tramp and alcoholic for whom there was no hope. But when he was converted everything changed. He became the most caring person at the mission. He spent all his days there doing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16, Romans 8:9

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Prayer, Christlikeness, Christian Witness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God Will Lift Up Your Head

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 12, 2011

GOD WILL LIFT UP YOUR HEAD During the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Nazarene

Yogi Berra: Determination And Direction

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 20, 2011

YOGI BERRA: DETERMINATION AND DIRECTION My favorite sports quotations, though, come from Yogi Berra: "Nobody goes to that restaurant any more -- it's too crowded." "If people don't want to come out to the ball park, nobody's going to stop them." Someone asked Yogi what time it was; he said, ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is The Amplifier

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2012

JESUS IS THE AMPLIFIER Jesus said: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 So... without Jesus I can't do anything? Now, that doesn’t mean you and I can’t do things that might be impressive. ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dugger's

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

We see something similar when an only child has a new baby brother or sister in the house. Not getting attention sothey cause trouble. Parents try to reassure the child that they love him because the child thinks that the parents will love her less because of the new baby. Think about the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Tags: God The Father, Heavenly Father

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Needs Twitter!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 20, 2019

We all want our lives to matter, and we believe they only matter if they are noticed by someone. I wonder if this desire for a witness isn't what fuels a lot of blogs, Facebook, and especially Twitter. We want someone, anyone, to take notice … to care about us … to watch us and by their ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

Tags: Communication, Self Esteem, Relationship

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am In A Hurry, But God Isn't!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 6, 2023

The purposes of God often develop slowly because His grand designs are never hurried. The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Waiting On God, Holy Spirit, Endurance, Patience, Forbearance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Praying Mother

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on May 12, 2025

Has your life been impacted by a sacrificial mother who would never give up? Never underestimate the power of a praying mother. Born in 1669, Susanna Wesley raised up two of Christianity’s most gifted leaders, John and Charles Wesley. Daily, as a mother, Susanna prayed, “Dear God, guide me. Make ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28, 1 Samuel 1:10-16

Tags: Prayer, Mother, Susanna Wesley

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There Was A Man Who Was On His Death Bed And He ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Sep 4, 2001

There was a man who was on his death bed and he called the three men that he trusted the most to come and see him. He called his minister, his doctor and his lawyer to him and said, “When I die, I my savings account of $90,000 divided three ways and when you walk by my casket, I want each of you ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Death, Funerals Non-Christian

Denomination: Vineyard

The Movie "Mighty Ducks" Is A David Vs Goliath ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Cassara on Sep 8, 2001

The movie "Mighty Ducks" is a David vs Goliath type of film. Gordon Bombay, a high priced lawyer with a prestigious law firm is arrested for DWI and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service. His assignment is to coach a pee wee hockey team made up of a bunch of misfits and troubled kids ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Faith, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Dwight L. Moody Approached A Man Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 12, 2002

"When Dwight L. Moody approached a man who was president of a colliery about his soul’s salvation, the man listened patiently and courteously, then said, "It’s too cheap, I can’t believe it’s true. You ask me to do nothing except to accept Christ in order to obtain salvation. It is too cheap. It ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Lordship Of Christ, God's Provision

Denomination: United Methodist

A Fly Was Buzzing Along One Morning When He Saw A ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 1, 2002

A fly was buzzing along one morning when he saw a lawn mower someone had left out in their front yard. He flew over and sat on the handle, watching the children going down the sidewalk on their way to school. One little boy tripped on a crack and fell, spilling his lunch on the sidewalk. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:29-34

Tags: Temptation, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Sustaining Fellowship—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 27, 2002

SUSTAINING FELLOWSHIP- COMMUNION MEDITATION Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who was an enemy of the Nazis because he refused to go along with their state idea of a church that practiced the anti-semitism of the Nazis. In fact, he was a hunted man who upheld authentic ...read more

Tags: Lord's Supper

Denomination: United Methodist

When My Son Was Just 5 Years Old, He And I Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 9, 2002

When my son was just 5 years old, he and I were standing in line at a card store during the Christmas season. He noticed on the counter a small statue for sale, depicting Santa kneeling at the manger of baby Jesus. Curiously he asked me, "Daddy, did that really happen?" Knowing it had not ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent, Christmas, Bethlehem Star, Hope

Freiherr Manfred Von Richthofen, Was A Famous ...

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Feb 24, 2007

Freiherr Manfred von Richthofen, was a famous German First World War fighter pilot. He was better known as the Red Baron -because he flew a distinctive a red Fokker aircraft. He shot down the more combat planes than any other person on either side in the War. His known kill tally was 80. On ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

In His Autobiography In 2004, Pete Rose Finally ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In his autobiography in 2004, Pete Rose finally admitted that he bet on baseball games while employed as manager of the Cincinnati Reds — an infraction that produced a lifetime ban from the sport in 1989. Rose’s admission of guilt came after denying any wrongdoing for almost 15 years. And he has ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

In 2002 The Department For Environment, Food And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In 2002 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, commissioned a survey in which they discovered that chewing gum was the major source of staining on pavements. They cite “the greatest problems are around facilities such as schools, cinemas and swimming pools that are frequented by ...read more

Tags: World Religions