In Sermon Illustrations: "Dwelling Places"

The Balloon And The Ballast

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Mar 25, 2010

THE BALLOON AND THE BALLAST We need a balance between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Imagine launching a helium balloon with no ballast. It would just up and away and finally burst when it reaches an altitude where the air is so thin that it cannot rise higher. It needs ballast--something to ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit General

Denomination: Baptist

Distortions

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 29, 2012

DISTORTIONS I know you have heard the story of the man that was on the ocean on a huge yacht. They had cruised for days and somehow had gotten lost. The captain noticed the owner’s little son had placed his toy magnet next to the casing around the compass. The magnetic force had distorted the ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Super Bowl Mvp

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 14, 2022

When receiver Cooper Krupp was named MVP of the 2021 NFL Super Bowl fans may think an athlete would soak up the attention, inflate their ego and define their identity according to their on field accomplishments. But Kupp actually minimized the place of football and elevated the kingdom of God. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Tags: Gospel, Discipleship, Reward, Witness, Eternity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Many Years Ago C.s. Lewis Wrote The Screwtape ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 4, 2003

Many years ago C.S. Lewis wrote the Screwtape Letters. Screwtape was an assistant devil writing to his nephew Wormwood. Screwtape was telling his nephew how to make the "patient" leave the camp of the arch enemy, the Prince of Peace, and dwell in the camp of the real boss, the prince of darkness. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4, Matthew 3:1-12

Tags: Temptation Pride

Denomination: Lutheran

The Eternal Kiss! (06.08.05--Family--Gen. ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 6, 2005

The Eternal Kiss! (06.08.05--Family--Gen. 27:33-37) The most powerful institution on earth! No, it’s not the United State Congress or the Supreme Court for that matter. And it isn’t the Presidency, the World Court or the United Nations. Although such institutions are singularly powerful and no one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:33-37

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Lutheran

A Number Of Years Ago A Woman Living In A Nursing ...

Contributed by Tim Richards on Sep 3, 2005

A number of years ago a woman living in a nursing home in Scotland wrote the following little piece that wasn’t found until after her death. However, it demonstrated the reality that life flies by even if you live to a ripe old age. I think you will be touched as I was. It’s entitled, "Crabby Old ...read more

Tags: Death Nearness

Denomination: Baptist

Church Cake Cover-Up  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 19, 2009

CHURCH CAKE COVER-UP It was time for the annual cake sale at a Presbyterian church not much different than our own. Ms. Billings always made the most beautiful cakes...she was expected to make another one this year. However, Ms. Billings was a very busy woman with the time she spent with her ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Tags: Hypocrisy, Cake

A Father Who Will Never Leave Us

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 31, 2021

A FATHER WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE US Devotional written by Dr. Larry Petton When I was pastoring in Texas, a sweet little girl came up to me once and said, "Pastor Larry, will Jesus ever leave me if I trust in Him?" I knelt down beside the little girl and said, "Why do you ask me ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-5

Tags: Holy Spirit, Assurance, God's Faithfulness, Our Father In Heaven, The Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Poem Of The Sheep & Goats

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 16, 2022

Song of the Sheep & Goats When the Son of Man comes again In his glory All the holy angels with Him Throne of glory Throne of greatness He'll sit on then I was hungry; you gave to me I was thirsty; you nourished me I was foreign; you welcomed me I was naked; you covered me I was sick; you ...read more

Tags: Parable, Sheep, Song, Judgment Day, Poem, Goats  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Four Ways To Win The Battle With Lust

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

Four practical ways to overcome temptation: (1) Study and know yourself. Know where you’re vulnerable and devise strategies to protect yourself. Others may be able to handle situations where you will fall. Don’t go with them if it is a source of temptation for you. Develop a deep distrust in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Adultery, Sexuality, Eyes, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Desire, Holiness, Look, Pornography, Lust, Deception  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[192]. Message From A Poem – No Contradiction Found Here

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 8, 2025

[192]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NO CONTRADICTION FOUND HERE I am not sure if I should explain each of these or let you work them out for yourselves. I was going to explain what seems to be contradictions, then I changed my mind. I will decide on that tomorrow! Well, I have decided to let you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10, John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:3, Titus 2:13

Tags: Christian Poems, Born Again, The Blessed Hope, Paradoxes, Contradictions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Cars Were Waiting At A Stoplight. The Light ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on May 25, 2004

Two cars were waiting at a stoplight. The light turned green, but the man did not notice it. A woman in the car behind him is watching traffic pass around them. The woman begins pounding on her steering wheel and yelling at the man to move. The man does not move. The woman is going ballistic inside ...read more

Tags: Faith, Peace

Denomination: Church Of God

The Preacher Who Wouldn't Do  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Feb 8, 2006

THE PREACHER WHO WOULDN’T DO A church was in need of a preacher. One of the elders was interested in finding out just what kind of a preacher the church wanted. In order to do this he composed a letter as though it had been received from a preacher and read it to the committee selecting a new ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:16

Tags: Church General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Leads His Dear Children Along

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

GOD LEADS HIS DEAR CHILDREN ALONG Haldor Lillenas, founder of a noted music-publishing company, made his way to the United States from Scandinavia. His first years in this country were hard, but a kind lady befriended him and taught him the English language. More importantly, perhaps, she told ...read more

Tags: God's Sovereign Will

Denomination: *other

In Light Of The Popularity Of The Dodge Super ...

Contributed by Kenny Richardson on May 24, 2013

In light of the popularity of the Dodge Super Bowl commercial "So God Made a Farmer" this is our Mother's Day rendition. “So God Made a Mother” He needed someone tender enough to cherish the thrill of a baby growing within her body & yet someone strong enough to survive the pain of childbirth, so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Tags: Mothers, Mother's Day

Denomination: Baptist

No Jacket Required  PRO

Contributed by Johanna Radelfinger on May 26, 2003

NO JACKET REQUIRED I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, Salvation, Repentance

Denomination: Adventist

A Young Man Once Approached Socrates To Ask If ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

A young man once approached Socrates to ask if the philosopher would teach him the gift of oratory. His request was then followed by an incessant stream of words until, finally, Socrates placed his hand over the inquirer’s mouth and said, “Young man, I will have to charge you a double ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Tags: Patience

One Of Golf’s Immortal Moments Came When A ...  PRO

Contributed by Rob Culler on Mar 21, 2001

One of golf’s immortal moments came when a Scotsman demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President’s beard and surrounding vicinity, while the ball placidly waited ...read more

Tags: Sports, God Brings Purpose, God The Father, God's Son, Holy Spirit, Adam And Evil, Adam And Eve, Finding Fulfillment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Father And His Son Were Seated At The Dining ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Mar 26, 2001

A father and his son were seated at the dining room table, while the mother was finishing the final preparations on the family’s dinner. While the father and son were seated, the father asked the son if he would say the prayer for the meal. The youngster nodded his head, and said that he would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Dinner, Joy, Prayer, Prayer Adoration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

42 Percent Of Workers Reported That Yelling And ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 27, 2001

* 42 percent of workers reported that yelling and verbal abuse took place where they worked. * One in ten said that physical violence had occurred where they worked. * 34 percent had lost sleep because of workplace stress, and 23 percent had been driven to tears. * Almost two-thirds, 65 percent, ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Workplace

Denomination: Baptist