In Sermon Illustrations: "Failings"

Death By Crucifixion

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

This a medical description of what happens: DEATH BY CRUCIFIXION: SLOW SUFFOCATION 1 - Shallowness of breathing causes small areas of lung collapse. 2 - Decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide cause acidic conditions in the tissues. 3 - Fluid builds up in the lungs. Makes the situation in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-56

Tags: Crucifixion, Slow, Suffocation

Denomination: Methodist

Parenting Social Degeneration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2002

PARENTING SOCIAL DEGENERATION Sheila Weller, in her book "Saint of Circumstances", reveals the untold story of Alex Kelley, who was convicted of rape in 1996. When Kelley was initially indicted he fled to Europe, spending more than eight years on the run, leading a comfortable lifestyle. ...read more

A Strong Foundation

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

1. A STRONG FOUNDATION • When building a structure, the key to that structures longevity is the base upon which it has been built • The structure, no matter how large or small must have strong ‘legs’ in order to stand in the midst of the storms that might come • The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

Abraham Lincoln And Perseverance

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on May 11, 2009

ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND PERSEVERANCE Consider this: There was a man whose life was characterized by failure. At the age of 22, his business failed. At 23, he ran for Legislature but was defeated. So he turned to another business, which failed when he was 24. At 25, things started to turn around ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: *other

Donors Economics Professor Tyler Cowen Reports ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 19, 2007

Donors Economics professor Tyler Cowen reports donors often tolerate high administrative costs, fail to monitor charities, and do not insist on measurable results—the opposite of how they treat financial investments. He also confirmed that while 1-for-1 matching funds increase donations, ...read more

In Reference To The Terrorist Attacks On ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 17, 2001

IN REFERENCE TO THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON AMERICA, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH SAID, “THESE ACTS OF MASS MURDER WERE INTENDED TO FRIGHTEN OUR NATION INTO CHAOS AND RETREAT. BUT THEY HAVE FAILED. OUR COUNTRY IS STRONG. A GREAT PEOPLE HAS BEEN MOVED TO DEFEND A GREAT NATION. TERRORIST ATTACKS CAN SHAKE ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Free Methodist

One Professor Of Church History Gave This ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 3, 2007

One Professor of Church History gave this analysis. I think a reason some men "hate going to church" is, ironically enough, that many churches have failed to preach the Gospel. I don’t mean the Gospel of "Jesus dying for my sins." I mean the Gospel of God’s invasion into the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

C.s Lewis: Tells The Story Of A Wasp Enjoying ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

C.S Lewis: tells the story of a wasp enjoying himself sucking the goodness on the the jam whilst the rest of its body has been decapitated – The wasp continues sucking unknowing to its condition. He says it’s a picture of human nature today we enjoy the sweet pleasures of life yet we fail ...read more

Tags: Ot Characters

After The Decision

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 11, 2011

AFTER THE DECISION John Wesley, talking of the conversion process, said that the new believer will often rest for days or months in the peace which follows the initial decision, but after a while they begin to become aware of "the ground of their heart, which God before would not disclose unto ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Great Wall Of China Is A Gigantic Structure ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Dashner on Dec 22, 2001

The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure that cost an immense amount of money and labor. When it was finished, it appeared impregnable. But three times the enemy breached it-- not by breaking it down or going around it. They did it by bribing the gatekeepers. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, in ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer Meeting Week After Week With A Woman ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 2, 2008

Prayer meeting week after week with a woman praying every week this prayer: "Lord, please get rid of the cobwebs in my life." Every week, the same prayer, without fail. Over and over again. Finally, one of the men in the prayer meeting got so fed up, he offered up his own ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Liberal, Missouri: A Town Of Atheists

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 18, 2011

LIBERAL, MISSOURI: A TOWN OF ATHEISTS There was an experiment in atheism here in the United States. Back in the 1800s, Liberal, Missouri decided to become completely atheistic. Religion was not allowed inside the city limits. No church could exist within the city and religious people were ...read more

Tags: Atheism

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unconverted Ministers

Contributed by Tim Spear on Sep 6, 2011

UNCONVERTED MINISTERS Thousands of ordained men in the present day know nothing whatever about Christ, except His name. They have not entered "the door" themselves, and they are unable to show it to others. Unconverted ministers are the dry-rot of the Church...We must never fail to ask, Where is ...read more

Tags: Pastors

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Was Passed On Over Internet About ...  PRO

Contributed by John Gerald on Jun 2, 2005

The story was passed on over internet about Little Billy, a Jewish boy, who was failing his math lessons. His parents tried everything they could to get him to do better in this subject, but he continued to fail. At last, they took him down to the Catholic School, and enrolled him. After the first ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Methodist

Losing Control, One Mistake At A Time  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Sep 5, 2002

LOSING CONTROL, ONE MISTAKE AT A TIME "According to the Associated Press, on December 14, 1996, a 763-foot grain freighter, the Bright Field, was heading down the Mississippi at New Orleans, Louisiana, when it lost control, veered toward the shore, and crashed into a riverside shopping mall. At ...read more

Tags: Faith, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: United Methodist

The Meaning Of Thirst  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jun 6, 2003

THE MEANING OF THIRST Do you know the importance of water to our physical bodies? When our bodies fail to retain the right amount of water, dehydration sets in. It is the water in our body that determines the vitality, strength, and energy associated with daily living. Think about these facts ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-5, John 4:10-15, John 4:10-15, John 4:10-15

Tags: Easter Good Friday, Jesus Christ

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do Not Slander. What Is Slandering? It Can Be ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 26, 2012

Do not slander. What is slandering? It can be called many things such as: backstabbing, mud-slinging, bad-mouthing, and it could also include condemning someone. Whatever it is, it doesn’t sound good from the pages of scripture. ILL.- William Cowper (English poet) said, “He that slanders me paints ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:18

Tags: Words

Be Ready, Have A Plan.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 17, 2021

PEOPLE NEVER PLAN TO FAIL, THEY FAIL TO PLAN AND BECOME TRAPPED TO BE DOOMED. WHAT IS FAILURE? WHAT IS SUCCESS? LIFE OFTEN HAS MANY TEMPORARY SET BACKS? We must be ready! ALBERT EINSTEIN did not beginning talking until he was 4 years. Many of Einstein’s family and friends thought he was mentally ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:7, Matthew 25:10

Tags: Plan, Ready

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Which Side I'm On

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 5, 2005

WHICH SIDE I’M ON Every Sunday morning without fail an elderly man could be seen walking to church. Everyone in the block knew he was deaf, unable to hear a word of the congregational hymns, the choir music, or the sermon. A cynical neighbour wrote him a note, "Why do you spend your Sundays in ...read more

Tags: Faith, Endurance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is There A Hell? A Recent Usa Today (Reported ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

Is There A Hell? A recent USA Today (reported in the 10/31/97 issue) poll discovered 52% of adults are certain that there is a hell, and 27% think there might be. 48% think it will be a real place where people suffer eternal torment, with 46% thinking it will be an anguished state of existence ...read more

Tags: Hell