In Sermon Illustrations: "Equipped For Service"

Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 26, 2008

HYMN: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD In 1607, a German named Martin Reinkardht wrote “Now Thank We All Our God”, which has become one of the great hymns of praise. He was in Eilenburg, Saxony, during the Thirty Years’ War. The walled city of Eilenburg saw a steady stream of refugees pour through its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thanksgiving, Worship Benefits, Gratitude To God

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jars Of Clay

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

JARS OF CLAY In his book "Disappointment with God," Philip Yancey offers a powerful metaphor for the church: I have a bright, talented, and very funny friend in Seattle named Carolyn Martin. But Carolyn has cerebral palsy, and it is the peculiar tragedy of her condition that its outward ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Fred Douglas Shepard Was Born On September 11, ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jul 27, 2008

Fred Douglas Shepard was born on September 11, 1855 in Ellenburg, New York in Clinton County. His father died while he was very young and his mother spent most of her adult life as an invalid. It was probably through this that Fred became associated with illness and caring for the sick. Fred lived ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Nazarene

Medicine For ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“Medicine for America” “Peculiar People” Titus 2:14 says, “[Christ] …gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” The King James Bible says the Lord will purify unto Himself a “peculiar people.” ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:14

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Heart Of Mary: Circumcised Heart

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Heart of Mary: Circumcised Heart "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code..." (Romans ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:28-29

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Undefiled Eyes

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Undefiled Eyes The church that continues the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ has Christians who long to have undefiled eyes. The first thought that comes to mind regarding undefiled eyes is a child of God who refrains from watching pornography or movies that are full of violence. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-4

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Health Checks  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Spiritual Health Checks (Devoted to Prayer) There are four signs that show that the child of God is a healthy Christian. One is a heart hungry for God's Word, second is his desire to be involved in Christian fellowship, third he observes "Communion," and four he is devoted to prayer. (Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Tags: Church Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Be ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

CAN YOU BE TRUSTED? Before the breakup of the Soviet Union, Christians were routinely persecuted for their faith by the Communist regime. We have many inspiring stories of courageous Christians behind the Iron Curtain who were willing to die for their faith during this difficult period in world ...read more

Tags: Persecution

We Get A Whole Bunch

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

We Get a Whole Bunch Pastor John R Ramsey once wrote, "For some time I have had a person provide me with a rose boutonniere to pin on the lapel of my suit every Sunday. Because I always got a flower on Sunday morning, I really did not think much of it. It was a nice gesture that I appreciated, but ...read more

Tags: God's Love

He Leadeth ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 14, 2009

HE LEADETH ME When Joseph Gilmore was just out of seminary, he filled in a couple of weeks at FBC in Philadelphia, PA. And he gave this testimony: "At the mid-week service, on the 26th of March, 1862, I set out to give the people an exposition of the 23rd Psalm, which I had given before on three ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:2

Tags: Wisdom

Eyes And Toes

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 11, 2009

EYES AND TOES There is a terrific story I once heard in a taped message from a marvelous Baptist pastor named Ron Dunn. Dunn's parable suggested that once upon a time there was a body where the eyes convinced all of the other parts of the body that the gift of SIGHT was the only important gift. ...read more

Denomination: *other

O In Peter Schaeffer's Play ...

Contributed by David Rumley on Oct 28, 2009

o In Peter Schaeffer’s Play Amadeus o Story of Salieri  Makes a prayer before God…  I would offer up secretly the proudest prayer a boy could think of. “Lord, make me a great composer! Let me celebrate your glory through music – and be celebrated myself! Make me famous through the ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Small Congregation In The Foothills Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Mar 25, 2010

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-10

Tags: Faith, Mountain Moving

Denomination: Wesleyan

Minister The Word  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 27, 2010

MINISTER THE WORD There are valid ministries which are pleasing to the Lord such as, missions, youth ministries, local church services and ministerial alliances. However, there are two ministries that are often set on the back burner. The ministry of truly preaching the whole council of God's ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Phil Sheldrake's Story

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 10, 2011

PHIL SHELDRAKE'S STORY At the age of 14 Phil Sheldrake was invited by a school friend to attend an event called Festival ’89. The event was being held on Sun Corner in Billericay and hosted by the preacher J. John. That night, Phil came to find a personal faith in Jesus. With his best friend, ...read more

Tags: Youth

Denomination: Anglican

Seeing You For Real

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2011

SEEING YOU FOR REAL Just a few years ago, Leadership Journal did an interview with Saul Cruz, who along with his wife founded Armonia (Harmony) Ministries in Mexico City. They minister to hundreds of poor people all over Mexico today, but they began their ministry by planting a church on the edge ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-19

Tags: Servanthood

Attitude Not Aptitude  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 6, 2011

ATTITUDE NOT APTITUDE Jesus' message here is that everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. Dave Stone says that "service is the language of grace." One day a couple of church members were out distributing loaves of bread in a low-income housing complex. They came to an apartment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 2:9-11, Mark 12:30-31, 1 Peter 4:10, Mark 12:1-27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Servanthood

Andy Stanley Tells The Story Of When He Was 13 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Andy Stanley tells the story of when he was 13 and learning the meaning of the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words.” His dad was the Associate pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta when the senior pastor was asked to resign. Charles Stanley was asked to preach on Sundays until a suitable ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Do Not Keep On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

DO NOT KEEP ON BABBLING Dr. Clarence Bass, professor at Bethel Theological Seminary, early in his ministry preached at a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the church. The remarks about his preaching were complimentary. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

We Are Not ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

WE ARE NOT INVINCIBLE "Humanly speaking, this was a time when God’s glory was discounted, and His people were not a testimony to His great Name." Sinclair Ferguson’s "Isaac’s Storm" is a very interesting book about the hurricane that wiped out Galveston in 1900. One of the main plot lines of the ...read more

Tags: Christian Values