In Sermon Illustrations: "Endurance"

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[040] A Message From A Poem – Chaotic Times Are Meant To Be

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 28, 2025

[040] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHAOTIC TIMES ARE MEANT TO BE This world is in chaos and your understanding of that depends on your assessment in the scriptures. Right now in the United States there is a new presidency under Trump, and the sick state of American society is being revealed with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:12-13

Tags: Last Days, Chaos, Leaven, Poetry, United States, President Trump, Evil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[136]. A Message From A Poem – I’m Just Changing Residence

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[136]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I’M JUST CHANGING RESIDENCE I have lived in my current home for 45 years. Before that we lived in a home for 10 years. I have only ever owned two homes. Some people change homes like they change clothes. When a Christian dies some say, “He has gone home to be ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Point Of Death, New Address, Homes, Absent From The Body, Dwelling Places, Residence, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Heaven, Dying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Even A Snake Has A Heart!  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 2, 2004

“Even A Snake Has a Heart!” 1 John 1: 1-10 Key verse(s): 9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We recently endured the effects of a fairly major windstorm here at Beech Springs. It happened as we were out of town ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9-10

Tags: Sin General, Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness In Action  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 6, 2004

Forgiveness in Action Pastor Hayes a man in his middle forties, was well-loved by his congregation, and faithful to God and to his family. He enjoyed a successful ministry in an exuberantly vital, growing church. Just when everything seemed to be going well, a cloud came over this man and his ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Wesleyan

Pastor Bob Schmidgall Said Of Super Bowl Sunday, ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 27, 2007

Pastor Bob Schmidgall said of Super Bowl Sunday, "That’s a pastor’s nightmare. What do you do on Super Bowl Sunday night? Go watch the game? I’m not worried about watching it. I’m worried about all those people don’t come to church." Then he quoted this, written by a minister: "As a minister ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Prayer Of God's ...

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 21, 2009

A PRAYER OF GOD’S SERVANTS We are God’s servants. We put God’s love for all people first. No race is superior to another. No government is more loved than another. No nation is dearer than another. We do not put our nation’s economy before God’s economy. He tells us to seek first His Kingdom, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:45

Tags: Servanthood, Servants Of God, Servant Attitude

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In The Book

Contributed by Ken Pell on Oct 19, 2009

In the book “101 Romantic Ideas” Laura Jeanne Allen tells the following story. My Grandfather and Grandmother were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "SHMILY" in a surprise place ...read more

Tags: Marriage, Marriage General

Denomination: Nazarene

Relay Team Wins Race By Yelling

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 27, 2009

Relay Team Wins Race by Yelling "Stop" during Final Baton Pass I ran track in High School and my thing was running the sprints, 100, 200, hurdles, relays and such. In my Junior year the School hired a new track coach. At every practice this coach would give a short talk on strategy and tactics for ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Sports, Finishing The Race

Four Chaplains

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Dec 6, 2011

FOUR CHAPLAINS It was the evening of Feb. 2, 1943, and the U.S. Army Transport Ship Dorchester was crowded to capacity. Hans J. Danielsen, the ship's captain, was concerned and cautious. He knew they were in dangerous waters; German U-boats were constantly prowling these vital sea lanes, ...read more

Tags: Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

[332]. A Message From A Poem - We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 8, 2026

[332]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT This poem is about a Christian’s walk with the Lord. To walk by sight means our eyes are on the things of the world and have been removed from God. That is failure. To walk by faith means eyes on the Lord, and how do we do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:6, Psalm 119:143-144, Psalm 119:10, Hebrews 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Faithful, Walk, Guidance, Eyes On Jesus, Looking To Jesus, Walk By Faith, Look To Jesus, Walk With The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[085]. A Message From A Poem – For All Christians - The Three Ps

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 21, 2025

[085]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - THE THREE Ps There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the first one in the second set ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 47:5-7, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12:11-12, Psalm 57:7-9

Tags: Vital Links, Praise, Prayer, Patience, Poetry, Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[150]. A Message From A Poem – James Chapter One

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 31, 2025

[150]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JAMES CHAPTER ONE The author of this letter is known as James the Less, to distinguish him from James the brother of John. This author was the half brother of Jesus, the full son of Joseph and Mary. James is a book that is often rejected for messages, but there ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20, James 1:12, James 1:5

Tags: James, Wisdom, James The Less, Letter Of James

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[163]. A Message From A Poem – Joy For Sorrow - Care In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 14, 2025

[163]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JOY FOR SORROW - CARE IN HURT The title of this poem has two contrasts – sorrow turning to joy, and hurt adopting care. This poem was written 27 years ago and since that time much has changed in the world for the followers of the Lord. Persecution has increased ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6, 2 Corinthians 6:4-5

Tags: Hurting One, South Africa, The Holy Spirit, Martyred, Suffering Christians, World Press, Comforr, Joy, Africa, Sorrow, Iran, Sudan, Nigeria, Lord, Persecution, Evil, Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[171]. A Message From A Poem – Living In A Country Town

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 21, 2025

[171]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN This poem is a little idealistic but it was written with the aim of a possible country gospel song. It is not my personal experience, though I have lived in isolated areas including in the semi-desert outback for many years. I can well ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-2, Psalm 8:3-4, Hebrews 13:5-6

Tags: Christian Poems, Country Town, Creation, Faithful, Isolation, Caring, The Creator, Never Leave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sailing Away  PRO

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Aug 17, 2002

SAILING AWAY A personal testimony. Inspired by His calling, Joel Vicente. ------- I was secure at home when I heard the voice from the Captain exclaim, "Come follow me. Go where I send you. No need to fear. I will be with you." I asked, "But Captain, may I remain here on the shore where it is ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Letting Go Of The Branch!" Luke 1:5-15 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 31, 2005

“Letting Go of the Branch!” Luke 1:5-15 Key verse(s) 13“But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.” Trusting in God is fine, as long as it is something you believe He can do. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-15, 1 Kings 17:8-16

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

The Hope In The Transfiguration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2010

THE HOPE IN THE TRANSFIGURATION In the Winter of 1966, a voters registration card arrived in the mail at the home of Vernon Dahmer. On the surface, something like this is no big deal; it happens every day. But this was different, for a number of reasons. It was different because Vernon Dahmer was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-15

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Together Communication And Attitude Have ...

Contributed by Ricki Lee Brooks on May 5, 2010

Together communication and attitude have potential... either for good or for evil. Here’s what we mean… It was attitude that took out yet another marriage. They were in their twenties. They were the parents of two beautiful children. He, however, had a miserable problem. She endured it. The ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

[242]. A Message From A Poem – It’s All In The Saviour’s Hands

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 23, 2025

[242]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IT’S ALL IN THE SAVIOUR’S HANDS This poem came about simply by thinking of the hands of Jesus when He took the bread at the Passover on the betrayal night. That led to thinking of other incidences and that’s how the poem resulted. Each stanza covers one incident. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:25, Acts 2:23, John 13:3-14, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, Matthew 14:15-20, Luke 9:12-17, Matthew 14:25-31, Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 5:22-24, Mark 5:35-43  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sick Daughter, Christian Poems, Passover Bread, 5 Loaves And 2 Fishes, Peter Sinks In The Water, Stretched Out Hand, Poll Tax, Cross, Jairus, Denarius, Nails, Foot Washing, Feeding The 5000, Bread, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational