In Sermon Illustrations: "Difficult Times"

Christmas Present Unrealized

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

This is a true story. Freddie and John were fortunate enough to have a season ticket to watch Chelsea soccer in the UK. They could not help noticing that there was always a spare seat next (B14) to them and they had a friend who would love to buy a season ticket, especially if all three could have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Present, Unattended Effect, Missed Opportunity

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ted Turner Turned Away From God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

Cable television mogul Ted Turner criticized conservative Christianity and said, "Jesus probably would be sick at his stomach" over the way his ideas have been "twisted" by today's preachers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Turner made his remarks at a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: False Professors, Deception, Bitterness, Last Days, Unbelief, Apostasy, Denying The Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am More Alive Than Ever - D. James Kennedy

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

D. James Kennedy wrote a book called "Skeptics Answered" and in this book, he made this observation that has always stuck with me. It reminds me of a quote from D.L. Moody many years before. Kennedy wrote, "There will, in fact, come a time when some of you will probably be standing ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26

Tags: Death, Easter, Resurrection, Life, Eternal Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Genesis In The New Testament

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

There are at least 165 passages in Genesis that are either directly quoted or clearly referred to in the New Testament. Many of these are alluded to more than once, so that there are at least two hundred quotations or allusions to Genesis in the New Testament There exist over one hundred ...read more

Tags: Abel, New Testament, Eve, Genesis, Moses, Adam, Cain, Old Testament  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Confusing Directive Was Recently Issued By A ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 24, 2001

A confusing directive was recently issued by a British Admiral. It read: “It is necessary for technical reasons, that these warheads be stored bottom-side-up, that is, with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. That there be no doubt which is the bottom, and which is the top, each ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Leadership General, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran

The Lesson Of The Apple? Fruit?  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 8, 2003

THE LESSON OF THE APPLE? FRUIT? I always use several colors of apples in my fruit salad. The red and the yellow help make the fruit salad more colorful. I was pondering about the apple in my fruit salad. At one time that apple I am dicing on my counter was a bloom on a tree. At one time that tree ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Tags: Faith, Endurance

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Every Day Is A Celebration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2004

EVERY DAY IS A CELEBRATION I have a habit that may seem strange to some: I tape football games and watch them again—and again and again, if the game turns out right. Super Bowl 32 is one of my favorites, the one where the Broncos defeated Green Bay 31-24. (I’m a Bronco fan.) The first time I saw ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:11

Tags: Post Easter, Miracles Of Jesus, Easter Resurrection, Emmaus Road

Gettin' Up A Load Right Now!" Psalm 39: 5-13 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 26, 2004

“Gettin’ Up a Load Right Now!” Psalm 39: 5-13 Key verse(s): 5: “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” It was the end of the church year and Pastor Smith was really into his preaching. He loved “end times” because ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:5-13

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Lutheran

America's Faith Changing: George Barna Has ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

America’s Faith Changing: George Barna has discovered discernible faith transitions have occurred across various subgroups. Young Adults—When Baby Busters (born between ‘65 and ‘83) enter a new life stage, a 1st marriage or parenthood, religious faith stabilizes. Since ’96 7% more attend Sunday ...read more

Tags: Faith General

In Rebuilding Your Broken World, Gordon Macdonald ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

In Rebuilding Your Broken World, Gordon MacDonald suggests twenty-six questions to help develop accountability and invite feedback. If we desire to grow, we should submit our selves to a spiritual mentor and answer these questions honestly. 1. How is your relationship with God right now? 2. What ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

The Risk Of Fishing For Souls  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2011

THE RISK OF FISHING FOR SOULS A little more than 10 years ago (2000), a movie called The Perfect Storm was released, which graphically portrayed the dangers of the fishing industry even in modern times. The movie is about the crew of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat out of Gloucester, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:14-39

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

To Be Needed

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 8, 2011

TO BE NEEDED Stu Weber, in his book Tender Warrior, includes an article written by a woman. She writes: One day the doorbell rang and there stood my beloved brother. It was a delightful surprise. His work as an executive of an international petroleum company keeps him out of the country most of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Tags: Friendship General

Do You Remember The Movie "Hook" From The Early ...

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Aug 7, 2007

Do you remember the movie “Hook” from the early 1990’s? According to Stephen Spielberg, when Peter Pan grew up he became a self-absorbed, ladder climbing, workaholic baby boomer. So goes the story line of the movie. In some early scenes Peter promises his son numerous times that he would come to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Any Rest That You Receive, Any Comfort That You ...  PRO

Contributed by David Taylor on Apr 18, 2003

Any rest that you receive, any comfort that you find, any hope that you have, and any encouragement you get during the time of suffering is a direct provision from God. When we begin to realize that, then even ...read more

Tags: Emotions, God's Provision, Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Years Ago, Roger Babson Published A ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 28, 2004

Many years ago, Roger Babson published a pamphlet entitled “Essentials of Business Success.” The leaflet contained nothing but a reprint of the Ten Commandments. Some time later a western manufacturer wrote to Mr. Babson ...read more

Tags: Commandments General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Could The Veil Be Lifted, We Would See That ...  PRO

Contributed by Adam Deibert on Feb 11, 2005

“Could the veil be lifted, we would see that angels of God are around us to preserve us from unseen dangers. Thousands of times has their care been especially manifested for us in our warfare with the agencies ...read more

Tags: Angels

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Health Insurance Up: The Average Cost For A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Health Insurance Up: The average cost for a family health insurance policy has topped $10,000 for the first time finds a Kaiser Family Foundation 60% employers offered coverage, down from 69% ...read more

Tags: Money

Mainline Decline: In '60, Total Mainline Church ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

Mainline Decline: In ’60, total mainline church membership in the U.S. topped over 29 million, by ’00 this number had fallen to 22 million¾a 21% drop. During this time span, church ...read more

Tags: Church General

Shrinking-Vacation Syndrome A Recent Conference ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 19, 2007

Shrinking-Vacation Syndrome A recent Conference Board study found 40% of consumers have no plans to take a vacation over the next 6 months (the lowest rate in 28 years). A similar Gallup ...read more

My Religious Belief Teaches Me To Feel As Safe ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That ...read more

Tags: Death