In Sermon Illustrations: "Enduring Trials"

Unsung Heroes-The Lad Who Helped Samson

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 24, 2023

Introduction: The story of Samson is one of the saddest in the Bible. He started off well but ended his days as a captive of the Philistines, Israel’s greatest enemy at the time. Even then, there was an unsung hero who helped him when Samson couldn’t help himself. Text: Judges 16:23-26, KJV: 23 ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:23-26

Tags: Samson, Philistines, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

God Still Has One More Move

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2023

This is a story about a painting in a famous art gallery in France. The painting depicts two chess players, one of whom is Satan, who appears arrogantly confident, and the other is a man who looks forlorn. If Satan wins, he wins the man's soul. (The painting is now popularly known as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painting, Control, Player, Chess

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mr. Welch

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

Stories of pivotal prayers: Story from Tim Elmore “Pivotal Praying” (Page 1): His life’s dream was to be a missionary, and it looked as though it was finally coming true. As the nervous young man sat in the mission’s agency’s office, he assured the interviewer that he and his new bride were ...read more

Tags: Giving, Story, Welch

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[041] A Message From A Poem – Christ - Our Support In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 28, 2025

[041] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRIST - OUR SUPPORT IN HURT We can pass through stormy seas and feel like those disciples in the boat when calm gave way to anxiety, but Jesus was in the boat resting in peace. The disciples focussed on the conditions and not on the Lord. Is that like us as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 56:11, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16, Mark 4:37-40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Always With You, Hurt, Afraid, Support, Alone, Anxious  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[229]. A Message From A Poem - Rededication Based On 1 Corinthians 5:7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 16, 2025

[229]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEDICATION BASED ON 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 This poem is a penitent’s response to sin in his/her life. I think a lot of us would know David’s prayer and confession in Psalm 51. Christians are not sinless people and the people who have a holiness teaching, and carry it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 1:8-9, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Christian Poems, Old Leaven, Confession, Repentance, Rededication, Conviction, Besetting Sin, Falling Into Sin, Forgiveness, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[245]. A Message From A Poem – In The Highest Splendour Reigns

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 28, 2025

[245]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN THE HIGHEST SPLENDOUR REIGNS Christ has ascended and reigns in heaven in the highest splendour. At His Second Coming He comes to reign as King of the whole earth in Jerusalem. Grace has elevated us who are just sinners saved by grace. {{2 Timothy 2:12 “If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:6, Luke 16:19, Psalm 145:5

Tags: Christian Poems, Majesty, Reign, Splendor, Shining  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[132]. Poem Message – "I Am Included” - Song - Solo With Chorus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 13, 2025

[132]. POEM MESSAGE – “I AM INCLUDED” - SONG - SOLO WITH CHORUS I just love this poem but it was originally meant as part of a Christian musical I wanted to write. I am sad I have not had the time to dedicate to this effort. I have the melody for this in my head but am not able to write ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9

Tags: Joy, Song, Included, Singing, Christian Poetry, Musical, Grace, Mercy, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First And Last  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

THE FIRST AND LAST He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and The Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be... Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone! He ...read more

Tags: Undefeated, Blind, Descriptions Of God, Creation, Confession, Guide, God The Father  (view more)  (view less)

Mitsuo Fuchida Was The Pilot In Charge Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004

ILL. Mitsuo Fuchida was the pilot in charge of one of the most successful aerial attacks in recorded history. Under his command was a squadron of 360 specially selected pilots, & on Dec. 7, 1941, Fuchida’s squadron bombed Pearl Harbor. He quickly became one of the most highly decorated pilots ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-47

Tags: Change

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In God's Time, In God's Way! The Fern And The ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 29, 2007

IN GOD’S TIME, IN GOD’S WAY! The Fern and the Bamboo... Unknown One day I wanted to quit.... I wanted to quit my job, I wanted to run from my relationship and my spiritual journey ... I just wanted to quit life. Stop this world and let me off. I went to the woods to have one last good talk ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Reward For Doing Right

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

REWARD FOR DOING RIGHT Joseph told Israel of his brother's evil doings. He was faithful to reveal rather than conceal the matter. Certainly it took a great deal of courage to do what he did. The exercising of that courage showed forth faithfulness. He also was faithful to his job requirements. ...read more

Tags: Righteousness

Thy Great ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Thy Great Salvation “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” (Romans 1: 16) Christians, like the apostle Paul, are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has chosen to offer a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cups Of The Lord

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Cups of the Lord The Cup of Blessings Psalms 16:5 says, "The Lord is my portion of my inheritance and my cup..." (NAS) What a wonderful blessing, to know that the Lord Himself is our inheritance. Dr. Dewight Jones tells us that there are some 32 cups mentioned in the Word of God. We have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:5

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Way Of The ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Way of the Righteous What They Don’t Do “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3

Tags: Righteousness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reward For Doing Right: Joseph Told Israel Of His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

Reward for Doing Right: Joseph told Israel of his brother’s evil doings. He was faithful to reveal rather than conceal the matter. Certainly it took a great deal of courage to do what he did. The exercising of that courage showed forth faithfulness. He also was faithful to his job requirements. ...read more

Tags: Ot Characters

Reward For Doing Right: Joseph Told Israel Of His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Reward for Doing Right: Joseph told Israel of his brother’s evil doings. He was faithful to reveal rather than conceal the matter. Certainly it took a great deal of courage to do what he did. The exercising of that courage showed forth faithfulness. He also was faithful to his job requirements. ...read more

Tags: Ot Characters

The Message Of The Straight Jacket

Contributed by Christopher Roberts (Barrister) on Jan 22, 2013

THE MESSAGE OF THE STRAIGHT JACKET Satan employs a number of tactics against us, which most often God uses for our greater good. One of those tactics is to place a straight jacket of circumstance upon us, something that we are unable to deal with ourselves. Such a straight jacket might relate to a ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Christian Church

[047]. A Message From A Poem – Christians Who Are And Who Are Not

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[047]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTIANS WHO ARE AND CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOT The main idea in this poem is the contrast between Christians in places of persecution who are committed and real, and the many Christians of the West who are lax and non-committed, who are asleep. It is a shame this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-12, Romans 15:26-28

Tags: Persecution, Support, Sleep, Awake, Voice Of The Martyrs, True Christians  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[095]. A Message From A Poem – From Chains To Release

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 2, 2025

[095]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FROM CHAINS TO RELEASE This poem covers a lot of ground. It starts with, and develops the chains of sin; the work of Christ on the cross; our redeemed state in a persecuting world; God is looking for faithfulness and commitment; we praise the Lord because He ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:2, Romans 6:23, John 10:10

Tags: Captives, Bound By Chains, Chained By Satan, The Chains Of Sin, Poetry, Poem, Chains, Released  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[283]. A Message From A Poem – The Lord, Our Hope, Our Joy, Our End

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 31, 2026

[283]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE LORD, OUR HOPE, OUR JOY, OUR END This is another of my earliest poems. This poem is a personal testimony to a time when I was walking in the valley of the shadow. STANZA 1 – All dark nights break forth into sunshine and my dark night looks forward to the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, Psalm 23:4-5, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Tags: Heaven, Joy, Sorrow, Dark Night, Blessings, Burdens, Valley Of The Shadow, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational