In Sermon Illustrations: "Fervent In Spirit"

Listening For The Car In The Driveway

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

Think about what it’s actually like to wait for someone you love to come home. Maybe your spouse is on a business trip, or your kid is coming home from college after a long semester. You’re not just waiting. You’re listening for the car in the driveway. You’re glancing at the clock. You’re ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25, Romans 8:25

Tags: Hope, Waiting On God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Few Years Ago Paul Harvey Wrote In ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 14, 2001

ILL. A few years ago Paul Harvey wrote in Guidepost Magazine about his own baptism. He said that even though he had received almost every reward for his broadcasting powers & ability that he still felt empty inside. Well, one summer he & his wife were vacationing in a place called Cave Creek, ...read more

Tags: Government, Baptism

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In A Back Yard There Once Lived An Apple Tree ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 25, 2004

In a back yard there once lived an apple tree and a thorn bush. The apple tree produced nice juicy apples that everyone liked to eat. Kids would climb up the tree and pluck the apples. Worms would eat the ones that fell on the ground. Birds would peck away at the fruit from the top. The owner ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24

Tags: Faith, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Lutheran

Got My Life, Got My Jesus! (09.07.05--The ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 6, 2005

Got My Life, Got My Jesus! (09.07.05--The Temporal Things!--Matthew 5:3) In order to have all things, you must forsake all things. Tell that to those struggling with forsakeness in flood-ravaged New Orleans or storm-crushed Gulfport this morning! My guess is that few if any would understand the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Lutheran

Praying For Unity

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Feb 8, 2021

As I think of the unity of God’s Gospel to us, I’m reminded of the unity I’ve experienced over the years with other saints on short term mission trips, volunteer positions at a crisis pregnancy center and a “Rescue Mission”, Promise Keepers (Men’s nationwide Ministry), and the Urban-Suburban ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Tags: Self Image, Reflecting Christ

That's The Vision Dr. Nixon's Congregation ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 5, 2007

That’s the vision Dr. Nixon’s congregation caught at Lakeview Church. He challenged that congregation and calls on us to “Focus attention on winning lost people.” God “increased Lakeview’s territory” when they “focused their attention on reaching and winning people to Jesus.” The Holy Spirit ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Christian's Passion  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Christian's Passion "Denying Oneself" There is a tale of the great English actor Macready. Macready was once asked by a preacher; "What is the difference between you and me?" You see the actor appeared before crowds night after night proclaiming fiction and people listened with delight. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-37

Tags: Passion, Christian Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evidences Of ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Evidences of Salvation Obedience There are marks of true Christianity. The characteristics of a born again Christian are seen by all. Three evidences of a man’s acceptance of God’s great Salvation are repentance, faith, and obedience. Children who truly love their parents will strive to obey ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:5

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Don't Understand The ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“I Don’t Understand the Bible...” Three types of people are described in 1 Corinthians 2 and 3: the natural man, the spiritual man, and the carnal man. The natural or unsaved person is spiritually dead and blind. He cannot understand the things of God. “The god of this age has blinded the minds ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4

Tags: Satan

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness "The Sermon on the Mount" explains the true intent of the law which cancels the natural responses of man and calls for supernatural behavior. Righteousness is an attribute of God. Jesus gives Christians a glorious hope and reward that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[078]. A Message From A Poem – Failure Leads To Hurt And Sorrow

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[078]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAILURE LEADS TO HURT AND SORROW This poem was written one Sunday morning while waiting for a church service to start. It flowed quickly. It was around the time I was speaking on a series in the life of Peter. Identify yourselves if you have never failed the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7-10

Tags: Hurt, Forgiveness, Sin, Failure, Sorrow  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Outward Pressure And Inward Pleasure

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Sep 12, 2025

Outward Pressure and Inward Pleasure Cross bearing is an indispensable part of a Christian’s life (Luke 9:23), so that work of molding a person into a Christ-like image which begins at the point of re-generation is completed in all respects (2 Cor 3:18) by the time of Rapture or one’s departure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7-8

Tags: Outward Pressure, Inward Pleasure

Denomination: *other

[232]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections On The Christian Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 20, 2025

[232]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The poem explores some aspects of our faith. Each stanza makes a statement beginning with "What". STANZA 1 – Christ is glorified, and one day we will share in that glory. STANZA 2 – As perfect Man Jesus helps us in our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Titus 2:13, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 2:18, 1 Peter 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Poems, Comes To Our Aid, Glory, Worship, Hope, Help, Helpless, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David Wilkerson's Founder Of Teen Challenge ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 30, 2004

David Wilkerson's founder of Teen Challenge states from his book Sipping Saints: 1. Drinking is the world's most staggering problem. We face the horrible statistics of more than a million young Americans becoming alcoholics. Six million of their parents are already there. We have become a sodden ...read more

Tags: Addiction

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Story: Excerpt From ¨loving Mercy" By Simon Ponsonby

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 12, 2012

Story: When Maddy and I were in Oxford at Wycliffe Hall, we used to go to Church in St Aldates. About 11 years after leaving Wycliffe, I was in Oxford one Sunday and so I decided to go to the evening service at St Aldates (08-07-2012). As I walked in. I looked at the bookrack in the entrance and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-19

Tags: Forgiveness, Christian Love

Denomination: Anglican

Bearing Our Cross

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 7, 2015

A "Natural" Rope a dope... Cross bearing is an indispensable part of a Christian’s life, so that work of moulding a person into a Christ-like image which begins at the point of re-generation is completed in all respects (2 Cor 3:18) by the time of Rapture or one’s departure from the Earthly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: Tithing, Trials And Difficulties, Bearing, Discerning

Denomination: *other

I Am…  PRO

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Mar 16, 2008

I am… BLESSED when I come in and BLESSED when I go out (Deut 28:6) SAFE wherever I go (Psa 91:11) REDEEMED from the hand of the enemy (Psa 107:2) The SALT of the earth (Matt 5:13) The LIGHT of the world (Matt 5:14) VALUABLE! (Matt 10:31) Exercising my AUTHORITY over the enemy (Luke 10:19) VALUABLE ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

[190]. A Message From A Poem – My Prayer (Parts From Psalm 119)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 6, 2025

[190]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY PRAYER (PARTS FROM PSALM 119) Christians regard the bible as the inspired word of God and as the sole rule for faith and doctrine. That makes the bible the most important resource available to us. It is a most treasured possession. There are many references ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:103, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:18, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Word, The Word Of God, The Bible, Statutes, Ordinances, Your Word, Law, Prayer, Treasure, Precepts, Testimonies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Don't Believe In Hell

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Jul 5, 2023

Illustration: “I don’t believe in Hell.” The fact that a lot of people have a tough time believing in a literal Hell was brought home to me in a very meaningful way. When I pastored in Chino, CA we lived in a parsonage right next to the Church. I soon noticed that a certain man was walking up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:28, Mark 9:43-45, Luke 16:23

Tags: Hell, Salvation, Facing Death

Denomination: Baptist

Augustine The Fiery Defender Of The Faith ...  PRO

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 23, 2001

Augustine the fiery defender of the faith accepted Christ in the most unusual way. After resisting God for a long time Augustine heard a child playing nearby, saying, TOLLE LEGE, TOLLE LEGE, which means, Take, Read. He promptly read a random verse from the Bible, Romans 13:13- 14, and gave his life ...read more

Tags: Descriptions Of God, Bible Influence

Denomination: Independent/Bible