In Sermon Illustrations: "Devoted To Prayer"

On The The 3rd Day Of October, 1789, President ...

Contributed by Larry Langston on Jan 7, 2009

On the the 3rd day of October, 1789, President George.Washington, at the request of Congress made the following declaration, proclaiming a A National Thanksgiving Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David Brainerd Was An American Colonial ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 14, 2002

David Brainerd was an American colonial missionary to the Indians who died at the age of twenty-nine. His diary reveals a young man intensely committed to God. Brainerd once said to Jonathan Edwards: “I do not go to heaven to be advanced but to give honor to God. It is no matter where I shall be ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Fulfillment

Denomination: Baptist

Our Will Is Ours

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 28, 2010

OUR WILL IS OURS "We have no direct control over our feelings, but we have over our will. Our wills are ours, to make them God's. God does not hold us responsible for what we feel, but for what we will. In His sight we're not what we feel, but what we will. Let us, therefore, not live in the ...read more

Tags: Affliction

Denomination: Baptist

Fad Or Follower?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 8, 2010

FAD OR FOLLOWER? I was looking at a list of some fads from the 1990's. Among them were: spandex shorts, Pokemon, Grunge music and fashion, The Macarena, Bowl cut, What would Jesus do?, Pogs, Polly Pocket Toys, and Tickle Me Elmo. In that list, only one fad had long-term bearing, "What Would Jesus ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Fact Is, I Am Very Narrow-Minded. Take For ...

Contributed by Norayr Hajian on Mar 30, 2008

The fact is, I am very narrow-minded. Take for example the fact that I have only one wife. There are lots of men and women that I care about, there are lots of wonderful, godly women in this world, but there is only one woman whom I have devoted my life and my love to. There is only one woman ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Statistics On Lying

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Our Daily Bread published an article on lying in the August 28, 1992 edition. In that devotional reading, it stated that lying seems to be a way of life for many people: “We lie at the drop of a hat. The book The Day American Told the Truth says that 91 percent of those surveyed lie routinely ...read more

Tags: Grace

In A Former Church I Served, A Mother Started ...  PRO

Contributed by David Haun on May 27, 2004

In a former church I served, a mother started reading the Bible to her young son. A few weeks later they were reading from the Gospel of John. When she read John 3:16, her son commented, "Oh, I know this. This is an old one..." Being familiar with a Scripture can do that to us. We can "know" ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:12-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dr. Maxie Dunnam Is One Of The Outstanding ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Feb 9, 2008

Dr. Maxie Dunnam is one of the outstanding evangelical leaders in the United Methodist Church that I deeply admire. Maxie is the current Chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary and her former President. He served the Upper Room Fellowship as their world editor and was the founding International ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

I Recall One Sunny Afternoon When I Was 13 Years ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 5, 2009

I recall one sunny afternoon when I was 13 years old and had only recently moved to Butte, Montana where I lived for a couple of years during high school with my father and grandfather. One afternoon I was exploring a very old log cabin style garage on the back of the property where we lived. It ...read more

Tags: Purity

Denomination: Christian Church

My Dad’s Obituary

Contributed by Rev. Randy Barker on Apr 3, 2025

**Obituary for Marvin Barker Sr.** It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marvin Barker Sr., who was called to his eternal home on [date]. Born to Virgil Barker Sr. and Anna Barker, both of whom have preceded him in death, Marvin lived a life full of love, devotion, and faith. He ...read more

Tags: Death, Sample Obituary

Denomination: *other

Admirer Or Follower?  PRO

Contributed by Ty Tamasaka on Jul 19, 2011

ADMIRER OR FOLLOWER? Recently I heard that in Scotland, a voluntary survey was given to law enforcement officers of their religious affiliations. That may not sound very interesting, but what caught my attention was that 8 of the officers claimed their religious affiliation to be "Jedi". I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Other

Thomas Aquinas The Famous Medieval Theologian ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2008

Thomas Aquinas the famous medieval theologian once wrote: The Lord’s Prayer is the most perfect of prayers... In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired. This prayer not only teaches us to ask for ...read more

I Would Distinguish Between Academic Study And ...

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on May 21, 2002

“I would distinguish between academic study and more general study of the Bible. At one level—and perhaps this is the most important level—I approach the Bible with a readiness and an expectation to hear the voice of God there. But there is no conflict between that more devotional use of the Bible ...read more

Tags: Disciplines Scripture, Bible Study, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Pentecostal

Barna's Latest Survey Shows 11% Of The People Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

Barna’s latest survey shows 11% of the people who attend a Christian church at least once a month plan to change their place of worship in the coming year. If true, more than 15 million people will change their church home in the next 12 months. Barna concludes, "Despite their fascination with ...read more

Tags: Worship, Unity

We Serve Jesus By Serving People. A Wealthy ...  PRO

Contributed by Darryl Bell on Apr 17, 2006

We serve Jesus by serving people. A wealthy American traveler visited a hospital in Southeast Asia. He walked in just as a young missionary nurse was cleaning the sores of a sick, dirty, elderly man who had been found lying in a gutter. The rich man said to the nurse, “I wouldn’t do that for a ...read more

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Now To A Jewish Person, Any Time The Word ...

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 19, 2010

Now to a Jewish person, any time the word “sacrifice” was used, they would’ve immediately thought about the lambs that were sacrificed at the temple. Those sheep were raised up, they were fed, taken care of and protected, for the sole purpose of the sacrifice on the alter of God. That’s what a ...read more

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Independent/Bible

For My Own Part," Says St. François De Sales, ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 12, 2008

“For my own part,” says St. François de Sales, quoted by Lesetre, “I should wish any devout man or woman always to be the best-dressed person in the company, but at the same time, the least fine and affected, and adorned, as it is said, with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. St. Louis said ...read more

Tags: Mothers

Denomination: Other

Spiritual Dryness

Contributed by Samuel M on Feb 18, 2025

When we pray prayers that are not in God's will, we by ourselves enter into seasons of spiritual dryness. We may receive answers to our prayer requests, yet we may become spiritually dry. If you are experiencing a season of spiritual dryness, do check and correct your prayers. Prayers ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20

Tags: Hope, Faith

The Real War Room  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2002

THE REAL WAR ROOM One of the most successful ministries in the world is Campus Crusade for Christ. This ministry was begun by a layman, Bill Bright. They have laborers sharing on thousands of campuses around the world. They believe prayer accessed the source for these laborers. In the late ...read more

This Is The Beginning Of Lent. Most People Are ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 24, 2004

This is the beginning of Lent. Most people are looking for things to give up for Lent. It you haven’t made up your mind maybe these will help. GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, "In everything give thanks." Constructive criticism is OK, but "moaning, groaning, and complaining" are not ...read more

Tags: Criticism