In Sermon Illustrations: "Encourage Each Other"

Christmas Traditions Around The World

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 19, 2022

As Americans, we pride ourselves in "doing Christmas up big." Tons of gifts, big holiday feasts, huge trees, Lights on the houses. Here are some of the other ways people prepare for the celebration of Christmas: * In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Customs, Traditions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience With Those Who Reject Our Savior

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 5, 2023

According to a traditional Hebrew story, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one evening when he saw an old man, weary from age and journey, coming toward him. Abraham rushed out, greeted him, and then invited him into his tent. There he washed the old man's feet and gave him food and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Endurance, Patience, Forbearance, Fruit Of The Spirit, Waiting On God, Evangelism, Grace, Holy Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Have Enough Points To Get To Heaven?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 12, 2023

I heard a story the other day about a guy who died and stood before the gates of heaven. An angel met him and said, “We have a new plan for getting into heaven. We’re now using a point system and you need 1,000 to enter.” The man told the angel that this would be no problem as he started rattling ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Justification, Sinners, Evangelism, Grace, Forgiveness, Sin, Heaven, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Man Does Not Always Mean What He Says (Humor)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 13, 2023

Many of you are aware ... that there are times ...when we men ....do not always say what we mean, ... So, please allow me to translate ......for your future benefit: When a man says, IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN Well .... He generally means: ... I have no idea ... how it works. When a man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Tags: Father, Father's Day, Say

Denomination: Anglican

Larry Norman Funeral Was A Going Away Party

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

What a gathering! Over 500 poured into a church this morning to pay our respects to Larry Norman. As we entered, we were handed ‘circus programs’ (instead of a boring pamphlet) that read: "Larry Norman Presents: A Going Away Party." It was a gathering of friends, family and fans ...read more

Tags: Funerals, Christian Music, Death, Celebration, Heaven, Mourning  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"the Reflection Of Light"

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Feb 24, 2025

Imagine a light bulb illuminating a dark room. When you first turn on that light, it overwhelms the darkness and reveals details that were previously hidden. In many ways, this is akin to how the glory of God transformed Moses. Now, consider a moment when you’ve been outdoors on a sunny day, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35

Tags: Transformation, New Beginnings

Denomination: Methodist

How Should A Christian Walk?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 29, 2025

Have you ever noticed how novelists or movie directors make use of the way a person walks to highlight his or her character? Proud man walks erect, their heads held high. Beautiful women glide or float. Villains slouch, sneak, creep, or swagger. The need to describe different ways of walking has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1, Isaiah 57:2, 1 John 1:7, Micah 6:8, Psalm 119:106  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Light, Humble, Walk, Worthy, Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Midnight Cry

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 30, 2025

There is a cry rising across the land. Every ear can hear this cry. This cry is heard in every nation, city and village. The cry is - "Behold the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him". The cry is resonating so much in the atmosphere- The bridegroom is coming; the bridegroom is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:6

Tags: Faith, Hope

Light Of The W.orld Holman Hunt

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 23, 2025

A verse that means a lot to me is Rev 3:20 where Jesus says 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. The famous painting known as the Light of the World, was begun in 1849 and completed in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Jesus, Free Will

Denomination: Anglican

Spiritual Advice! Story: Einstein, Edison Disney And Caruso

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026

Do Not get counsel from your detractors (Matthew14:25-27) Seek Spiritual Advice from Spiritually mature Christians. Albert Einstein ... had difficulty speaking until he was four years old ... and did not read ... until he was seven. Beethoven's music teacher said: .... "As a composer, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:25-27

Tags: Advice, Counsel, Teachers, Detractors

Denomination: Anglican

I Choose To Be Found Doing My Duty - Good Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 2, 2026

Back in 1780, ...... the Connecticut House of Representatives ... was in session. The sky above ...become extremely dark. An eerie dark. Many of those in the House ... who were believers glancing out the windows, ... feared ...the end ...was at hand. Many wanted to adjourn the session, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Matthew 19:16, 1 John 2:1-2, Acts 1:9-11, John 14:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Judgment, Duty, Faith, Light, Faithful, Sky  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

In His Book, "Just As I Am", Billy Graham Writes ...  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

In his book, "Just As I Am", Billy Graham writes of the following event. "One summer while in New Jersey, I was having lunch at a roadside diner when I was greeted by a big, smiling man whose eyes grew large as he studied me. "Hallelujah!" he shouted, grabbing and pumping my hand. "What an answer ...read more

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[178 ]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Sheep

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 26, 2025

[178 ]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE SHEEP What are the best-known parables the Lord Jesus gave? I suppose there could be some debate about that but for me, I think The Prodigal Son, The Sower and The Good Samaritan. The Lost Sheep is near the top. Two of those I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1, Psalm 23:4, Luke 15:3-7, John 10:11, John 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Shepherding, The Lost Sheep, The Shepherd Psalm, One Sheep Lost, Sheep, Search, The Good Shepherd  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[202]. A Message From A Poem – Pictures From A Counting Song – (Part 2)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 16, 2025

[202]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PICTURES FROM A COUNTING SONG – (PART 2) THIS SECOND PART OF THE POEM IS PART 2. IT CONTINUES FROM THE PREVIOUS POST. “ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE” OR “1, 2, BUCKLE MY SHOE” is a counting song dating back to late 18th century in the USA. It was heard for the first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Counting Song, Song For Children, Wrentham Massachusetts, Songs For The Nursery, Christian Application, Nursery Rhyme, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was A Family With One Little Daughter. ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

There was a family with one little daughter. Mother and daughter were very faithful in church and Sunday School attendance…The father wasn’t interested and he made it plain it was okay for his wife and daughter, but not for him. He worked in a steel mill, a huge hulk of a man who had been a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:36-39, James 1:12

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Pentecostal

Many Years Ago, Executives Of The Time-Life ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 1, 2000

Many years ago, executives of the Time-Life publishing organization discovered that the company’s profit margin had shrunk to an alarmingly low level. Consequently, they began an intensive effort to try to cut costs. Efficiency experts suggested that substantial savings could be effected in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Tags: Love, Mercy, God's Forgiveness, Endurance, Promises Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Tassels And The Braids!" Hebrews 10:5-10 ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 1, 2005

“The Tassels and the Braids!” Hebrews 10:5-10 Key verse(s): 14:“Since than time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” When I was a junior in high school I was inducted into the National Honor ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:5-10

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

I Want To Conclude With A Story That Tony ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Richards on May 18, 2005

I want to conclude with a story that Tony Campolo tells about a time he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. He remembered that before the service, eight men had him kneel so they could place their hands on his head and pray. He was glad to have prayer, but each of them prayed a long time, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Baptist

When Things Are Just Working Out! ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 24, 2005

When Things Are Just Working Out! (10.26.05--Making It!--Judges 18:27) IF life is going well and I am in all things successful, does that me that God is pleased with me? That’s a good question! If I am successful in the things that I do, does that necessarily mean that God is behind that success? ...read more

Scripture: Judges 18:27

Tags: Joy, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Lutheran

Coil And Spring! (11.07.05--Christian ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 3, 2005

Coil And Spring! (11.07.05--Christian Soldiers!--Ephesians 6:10-17) As I walked with her this morning in the dim morning light, she trotted obediently at my side. There was no pulling on her part. She simply walked obediently at heel anticipating each new smell that wafted through the nearby ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran