In Sermon Illustrations: "Despair Can Have Help"

Israel Was No Fluke

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 8, 2008

Israel was No Fluke I'm a laid-back White Sox fan. All my life, I have had to deal with being out-numbered by Cubs fans. Both Sox and Cub fans have long dreamt of a City series, where the two teams are competing during the World Series. That could happen this year. Statistically speaking, we ...read more

Tags: Israel

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Birthday Stats

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

BIRTHDAY STATS Everyday in the U.S. and Canada, 800,000 people are having a birthday. The average person receives 8 birthday cards and 4 gifts a year. 11,000 Baby Boomers turn 50 each day and will for the next decade. Almost 110,000 people have celebrated their 100th birthdays with a projection of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:31

Tags: Aging

Superstition

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 31, 2020

“The number 13, black cats, breaking mirrors, or walking under ladders, may all be things you actively avoid – if you’re anything like the 25% of people in the US who consider themselves superstitious. “…Superstition also explains why many buildings do not have a 13th floor … some airlines such as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:11-20

Tags: Superstition, Occult, Magic

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Being A Professional 24 7

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 22, 2021

Athletes strive for excellence and continual improvement. Disciples of Christ must take the same attitude. Hockey star Matthew Barzal of the New York Islanders comments on doing and being your best: Whether that's having short hair and clean facial hair throughout the regular season or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 3:12

Tags: Worship, Commitment, Discipleship, Excellence, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dieting An Old Tradition

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2022

How long have Americans been obsessed with dieting? I cannot answer that question, but I do have a CD of Eddie Cantor singing, “My Wife is On A Diet” from 1929. It features lyrics like, “No more gravy and potatoes, only lettuce and tomatoes! Where are the pies I adore?” And then there is my 1932 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:12

Tags: Diet, Vanity, Waistline

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Taxes And More Taxes

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

A businessman on his deathbed called his good friend and said, "Luigi, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated." "And what," his friend asked, "do you want me to do with your ashes?" The businessman said, "Just put them in an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:6-7

Tags: Government, Taxes, Irs

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas Is More Than Jingle, Jingle

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 12, 2020

I have been trying lately to remember my first Christmas. I know my memory isn't perfect, but I thought maybe I could bring up some old memories of my first Christmas. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a thing about that first Christmas of mine. Of course, it might be that I was only five ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7

Tags: Christmas, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Hallelujah… She’s Baaaaack

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 4, 2021

I have learned that you don't miss something until it is gone. Unfortunately, sometimes, it's too late. Over six weeks ago, or was it nine months, I took my truck in for a regular checkup. I was going away for the week, so I thought I would drop the truck off and let them work on it when ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:8

Tags: Stress, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Who’s The Clown Now?

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 5, 2022

As a young person, I was fascinated with clowns. My first encounter was at a circus I attended with my family. The main character in the circus was the clown. When I first saw those clowns, I was scared almost to death. I've never seen anything as scary as those circus clowns. That began my ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Humor, Clowns, Circus

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unsung Heroes: Paul’s Nephew

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 19, 2024

Introduction: It’s interesting that we know very little about Paul except that he was a Jew, born in Tarsus, receiving an education in Jerusalem, and some of his days as Saul the persecutor of the new Church. We’re never told the names of his parents, siblings—or if he had any other siblings ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:16-22

Tags: Paul, Unsung Heroes, Paul's Nephew

Denomination: Baptist

The Room

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jun 7, 2007

THE ROOM (I DO NOT KNOW THE AUTHOR) In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Only Kings, Editors, And People With Tapeworms ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2005

Only kings, editors, and people with tapeworms have the right to use the ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

C.s. Lewis: "Everyone Says Forgiveness Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 23, 2006

C.S. Lewis: “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:13, Matthew 7:1-6

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Love, Job, Forgiveness, Hypocrisy, Family Relationships, Financial, Employer, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Martin Luther In Regard To John 3:16 Says "Here ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Aug 20, 2006

Martin Luther in regard to John 3:16 says “Here we have ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

Isaac Newton Said "The Bible Is The Rock That ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Mar 14, 2007

Isaac Newton said “the Bible is the rock that all the hammers of criticism have failed to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Adversity Has The Effect Of Eliciting Talents ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in times of ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

The Idea Is There, Locked Inside, And All You ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"The idea is there, locked inside, and all you have to do is ...read more

Tags: Art

If Children Grew Up According To Early ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"If children grew up according to early indications, we should ...read more

Tags: Children

It Is The Malady Of Our Age That The Young Are ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

It is the malady of our age that the young are so busy teaching us that they ...read more

Tags: Children

Train Your Child In The Way You Now Know You ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

Train your child in the way you now know you should ...read more

Tags: Children