In Sermon Illustrations: "Facts"

Keys To The Kingdom?

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 29, 2009

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM? At a former church, the day I started my job as an associate pastor I was given a set of keys to the church by one of the Trustees, Bill. Bill told me, "Peter, these are not all the keys to the church, we are only giving you four keys: One key to the church building, one key ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship Of Creation

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2009

WORSHIP OF CREATION How many of you watched the PBS series last month on the National Parks? Besides the fabulous visual images of some of America’s most beautiful scenery, the documentary gave a very interesting perspective on the history of our national parks. Did you know that Jim Grinnell’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-25

Tags: Idolatry

Angus' Mucker—a Story Of Giving

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 27, 2010

ANGUS' MUCKER--A STORY OF GIVING Ernest Gordon wrote a true account of life in a World War II Japanese prison camp, Through the Valley of the Kwai. How many of you saw the movie, "Bridge Over the River Kwai"? In the book, there is a story that never fails to move me. It is about a man who, ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Pentecostal

Free Pizza — Ten Dollars

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 19, 2010

FREE PIZZA - TEN DOLLARS Way back in the day when Katie and I were dating, I got this phone call from her. She was very excited. She had just purchased a discount coupon book for discounts on various restaurants in town, for only $25.00. If you are familiar with the Entertainment Coupon Book, ...read more

Tags: Food

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Because Of Angus

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 25, 2011

ALL BECAUSE OF ANGUS In Ernest Gordon’s true account of life in a World War II Japanese prison camp, Through the Valley of the Kwai, there is a story that never fails to move me. It is about a man who through giving it all away literally transformed a whole camp of soldiers. The man's name was ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Tags: Christian Witness

The More Excellent Way

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jul 22, 2011

THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY I remember a sermon – years ago, in fact I think I may have preached it during my time here as an intern – where my opening illustration was the difference between the way my father chopped wood and the way I chopped it. You may remember the scene – me as a skinny 18 ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rejection At The Vending Machine  PRO

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 27, 2015

Vending machines have come a long way since I was a kid. It used to be you slid in a couple of coins and pulled a lever and down would drop your snack or drink. Now there are lights, levers, cranes, codes, and chutes that make the purchase a production of its own. It’s almost worth the price of ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Tags: Judgemental, Favoritism, Prejudice

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glorify God In Your Body

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

When I was in high school at Littlefield, Texas, a boy was occasionally seen in the corridors who I did not ever see in my classes. His head was a grayish purple color, irregularly shaped, and at least twice the size of a normal person’s head. I understood that he was a student at the school who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20

Tags: Body, Glorify, Elephant, Proteus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holding Up The Bridge

Contributed by Jack Kale on Sep 30, 2017

Holding Up the Bridge By now you have probably noticed the construction of the new bridge spanning the gap between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. Each week new additions to the construction have caught my eye as I’ve driven those three miles over the bay. Tug boats, barges, cranes, heavy equipment, ...read more

Tags: Support, Relationships, Bridge, Second Chair

Denomination: *other

Honor Your Father And Mother

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 13, 2020

Father’s Day 2020 is just a few days away as I write this. My dad left this world in 2018 but I still remember so many things about him. Some of course are too personal to share but there a good number of good memories I’ll always cherish. Dad was about five feet, ten inches in height—the smallest ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2

Tags: Memories About Dad, Father's Day, Fathers

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Pothole

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 21, 2023

Driving to work the other day I hit a pothole and, like most people, I reacted angrily. “Why can’t they do something about this?” I mumbled under my breathe. But this time instead of complaining I thought maybe I could learn a lesson or two from the pothole. Here’s what I learned: Pothole Lesson ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:11, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 Peter 1:6

Tags: Trouble, Pain, Proverbs, Persecution, Wisdom, Suffering, Difficulties  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Tired? I Am.

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 22, 2023

Can you believe it? Another year is in the books. I don’t know about you, but as magical and wonderful this time of year is, it is exhausting. I’m tired! And the fact is that it’s not just this time of year. I find myself getting weary and tired often. Life is like that. It can wear you down. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Perseverance, Endurance, Temptation, Discouragement, Weariness, New Years, Tiredness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[017] A Message From A Poem - Altogether Lovely One

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

[017] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALTOGETHER LOVELY ONE There are times when we feel our hearts going out in worship to our Lord. What is the difference between praise and worship? This is not a sermon so I won’t be answering that question here, but I hope you think on it and that it might warm ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11, Isaiah 53:3-4, Psalm 150:1-3

Tags: Worship, Praise, Gold, Magi, Sorrow, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lovely One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[035] A Message From A Poem – Beware The Fowler

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 25, 2025

[035] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEWARE THE FOWLER GOTCHA! We hear that in children’s play and in some games. In fact I think there may have even been a board game in the 1950s with that title. Have you ever watched a spider on its web sitting there silently and an insect becomes ensnared in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 124:7-8, Psalm 91:3

Tags: Pitcher Plant, Spider Web, God Delivers Us, Caught, Fowler, Trapper, Ensnared, Gotcha  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 1, 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

[050]. A Message From A Poem – Come Aside And Rest Awhile

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 7, 2025

[050]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – COME ASIDE AND REST AWHILE Burnout is just as real among some Christian workers as it is in the working world. Those who are faithful and go the extra mile in service for their Lord can feel the strain and stress of ministry. Don’t forget either, that the evil ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-32, Mark 6:33-34, Mark 6:43-46

Tags: Burnout, Retreat, Rest, Come Aside

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[056]. A Message From A Poem – Death Is Not A Mystery

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 12, 2025

[056]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DEATH IS NOT A MYSTERY We just had a poem on Death for the Christian, and in this one now, the concept is continued, though the poems are separated by over 20 years. Each stanza deals with a different aspect of life. For me the poem is a testimony of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Acts 2:27

Tags: Death, Mystery, Poetry, Poem, Sheol  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[187]. A Message From A Poem – My Final Destination

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 5, 2025

[187]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY FINAL DESTINATION What is your final destination? “Well,” say some, “death is the end of it all. There is nothing after death. Evolution placed us here and will see our end recycled.” Those who deny an eternal spirit in man just ignore the bible’s message – ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-15, John 12:32, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 1:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Glory In Heaven, Christian Poems, Heaven, Journey, Destination, Final, Seal  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[216]. A Message From A Poem - Place The Lord Always In Your Focus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2025

[216]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PLACE THE LORD ALWAYS IN YOUR FOCUS Placing the Lord always in your focus means having Him as THE priority in your life. So often we ask Jesus to share our priorities but it must not be like that. We have many priorities over our lifetimes. Sometimes work must ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Matthew 22:37, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Priority, Christian Poems, Jesus Is Number 1, Priorities, Focus, First  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You’re Probably Familiar With The Book ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 9, 2001

You’re probably familiar with the book "Moby Dick". Even if you’ve never read it, you know the story: Captain Ahab goes in search of a great while whale, and is finally killed when the whale attacks and destroys his ship. But you probably didn’t know that this scene in Herman Melville’s novel was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20, Matthew 5:21-37, Matthew 5:38, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 22:15-22, Ezekiel 37:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God's Omniscience, Holy Spirit In Believers, Knowing God's Will, Jehoshaphat

Denomination: Baptist