In Sermon Illustrations: "Cross Agony"

President Calvin Coolege Went To Church, And ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Apr 19, 2003

President Calvin Coolege went to church, and afterwards was asked by a friend what the minister spoke on. “He preached on sin.” The friend asked what the preacher ...read more

Tags: Easter Good Friday, Cross

Denomination: Baptist

The Author Lee Strobel Has Written A Book Titled ...

Contributed by David Haun on Apr 5, 2004

The author Lee Strobel has written a book titled God’s Outrageous Claims. In it he writes these words: "Jesus was tied to a post and beaten at least thirty-nine times – and probably more – with a whip that had jagged bones and balls of lead woven into it. Again and again the whip was brought down ...read more

Tags: Cross, Easter Good Friday

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rob Frazier, A Contemporary Christian Artist ...  PRO

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Oct 8, 2001

Rob Frazier, a contemporary Christian artist wrote a song titled, "He doesn’t want you better, He wants you deader" Dead people don’t mind the pain, Don’t get offended so they never complain They’re not concerned about personal gain, Does that sound like me or you? The truth is rising from the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Galatians 2:20

Tags: Discipleship, Cross, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Several Years Ago There Was A Guy Who I Use To ...

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 27, 2011

Several years ago there was a guy who I use to talk with on occasion when I worked at RJR and don't believe he was a saved man, if he was he wasn't walking the walk and for sure wasn't talking the talk. He used foul language, had a reputation of being a big pot smoker. One morning he came in with a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Witness, Jesus, Cross, Calvary

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrifice

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 15, 2013

I will never forget being at church one Sunday playing "king of the hill" with my buddies, before church started. But our play stopped when a car pulled up to the sidewalk and, with help, out came a soldier, who had returned from Vietnam a few weeks earlier. But he came on crutches and he ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13-18

Tags: Sacrifices, Wounded, Soldier Of The Cross

Denomination: Christian Church

The Two-Headed Lamb

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 7, 2014

THE TWO-HEADED LAMB Dr. H.A. Ironside once shared a story that was the clearest illustration of the Gospel I have ever heard. He said that he was visiting in South Texas and had the opportunity to visit a sheep ranch. While he was there, he spotted what he thought to be a two-headed lamb. He ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Atonement, Heaven, Gospel, Cross

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does Your God Bleed?  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 4, 2014

DOES YOUR GOD BLEED? A little boy went up to a missionary Sunday School leader in another country. The boy said, "I like what you say about the God of the Bible but I can’t see him. But if I go to the temple I can see my God." The missionary said to the little boy, "Son, may I ask you a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Salvation, Cross, Blood Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Crown Of Life

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Oct 7, 2014

Finally, for those who are willing to lay their life at the altar, the reward by way of a Crown promised is not one of incorruptibility (I Cor 9:25) or rejoicing (I Thess 2:19) or glory (I Peter 5:4) or righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) but paradoxically the one of Life (Rev 2:10). Hallelujah!!! No wonder ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:10

Tags: Commandments, Cross, Character, Comforter

Denomination: *other

Grace - A Poem By Elicia Roy

Contributed by Elicia Roy on Mar 18, 2021

GRACE What is this thought of undeserved grace? A sinner condemned to a tormenting place. Unable to hope, without a way out, Weeping and gnashing of teeth all about. Separated from love and life, Only surrounded by pain and strife, Nothing I could do to change my state, A sinner condemned to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: The Gospel, The Cross, The Grace Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Suffering Christ

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 1, 2023

I could never believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I turn to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross—nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 2:14-18

Tags: The Cross, Atonement, Suffering, Incarnation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual "boyle's Law"!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Sep 9, 2025

One truth related to lessons learnt in the subject of Science in our school days' applies to some core aspects of Christian Living also especially the inter-related Spiritual dynamics of Cross-bearing and Spiritual Growth (Rom 5:3-4). Now what is that Scientific Lesson??? Well, it pertains to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16

Tags: Spiritual Progress, Cross Bearing

Denomination: *other

The Baby's Smile

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Dec 28, 2022

The Baby’s Smile “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21 We are in the last few days of the year. Most of our thoughts on Christmas is that it is ...read more

Scripture: John 16:21

Tags: Smile, Hope, Cross, Baby Jesus, After Christmas, Cradle To The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Crucifixion  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2001

Consider this: Jesus was nailed to a cross with heavy, square wrought-iron nails through His wrists and through His feet. He hung there for several hours. When His body slumped, excruciating, fiery pain would shoot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain - the nails in the wrists ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Tags: Easter Good Friday, Forgive, Cross, Humanity Of Christ

The Right Perspective  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE A man was walking through an art gallery when he came upon a picture of the Lord Jesus dying upon the cross. He stopped and looked at the beautiful portrait of Calvary's love. As he stared into the face of Christ, so full of agony the gallery guard tapped him on the shoulder. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Tags: Worship, Humility, Cross, Submission, Surrender, Worship General  (view more)  (view less)

The Romans Sometimes Compelled A Captive To Be ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2001

The Romans sometimes compelled a captive to be joined face-to-face with a dead body, and to bear it about until the horrible emanating smell destroyed the life of the living victim. Virgil describes this cruel punishment: ’The living and the dead at his command Were coupled face to face, and hand ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines, Cross

The Following Excerpt Was Sent To Icon New Market ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2005

The following excerpt was sent to Icon New Market Films: "I realize you probably never have the occasion to see him, but if you do, could you tell Mel Gibson that a 74 year old woman named Hally Raisor saw the Passion and as a result she gave her life to Jesus Christ and was baptized. The only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-7, Hebrews 2:9

Tags: Cross, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation, Passion  (view more)  (view less)

Trading Places

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 7, 2014

Several years ago, a Baptist camp in Texas was having the annual softball game between counselors and campers on the last day of church camp. The teams divided up and went at each other. After the game started, a teenager in center field chased a long fly ball and hurt his ankle. His pastor was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Atonement, Forgiveness, Cross, Blood Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Covered Under His Wings  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 7, 2014

COVERED UNDER HIS WINGS It was a hot day in the dry old West. As the railroad came roaring down the tracks, sparks were flying everywhere because of the hot temperatures. When the sparks flew, often they would begin a fire that would destroy ranches, homes and livestock. One particular day, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Atonement, Forgiveness, Cross, Love Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Feet

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Oct 5, 2020

His naked feet intrigued him, for they moved with purpose which his mind had not yet measured. Besides they each one wore a curious scar of some wound as yet unopened; yet they had been there long before his birth. What twist of meaning had Earthmaker given him, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-4, John 1:14, John 3:16, James 5:16

Tags: Christmas, Easter, Salvation, Gospel, The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Family!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 28, 2021

It is hard to get over the disappointment that God, having made an exception in my case, didn’t seem to call nice, accomplished, courteous, alert ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Luke 19:10, James 2:1-7

Tags: Worship, Salvation, Gospel, The Cross, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational