In Sermon Illustrations: "Finding Fault"

Forgotten Steps

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 7, 2012

FORGOTTEN STEPS A man who was not an architect decided to draw the plans for his new home. He was very proud of what he had done. He hired a builder with the firm understanding that he would follow the blueprints exactly. "You may not like my plans, but they suit me. So don't even try to ...read more

Tags: Pride

Denomination: Baptist

Hold Fast

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 1, 2012

HOLD FAST A ships crew can be suddenly obligated to ABANDON SHIP and take to the life boats. Such was the case of an American whaling ship in the South Seas. A huge leviathan of the deep, wounded by his pursuits, ran out the mile long line then returned again and struck the ship with incredible ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:10-19

Tags: Truth Of Christ

Obstacles To Worship

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

OBSTACLES TO WORSHIP Don Chapman writes, "Recently I visited a church where I had to jump over a few unnecessary hurdles before I finally took my seat in their worship service. There was no sign out front. I drove to the church's location and was surprised not to see a sign. Was I in the right ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Methodist

Forgive Me When I ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 24, 2012

FORGIVE ME WHEN I WHINE Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair; I envied her -- she seemed so gay, and how, I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Tags: Complaining

What Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes And Lilo And Stitch Tell Us

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 10, 2015

Two films. The 2014 film “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and the earlier “Lilo and stitch”. In the Dawn of the Planet of the apes, small groups of human beings and intelligent apes have both survived a deadly plague. A group of humans trying to restart a hydro electric generator stumble across ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Tags: Fear, Overcoming Anxiety, Non-Anxious Presence, Ohana

Denomination: Anglican

Buying The Stereo

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 11, 2017

BUYING THE STEREO Philippians 4:11 I had an interesting experience buying a stereo as a teenager. I dreamed of getting one for Christmas when I was 19. I knew it would make me happy. I could hear the music playing and see myself swaying. I really needed it. But, Christmas came and went and I ...read more

Tags: Happiness, Being Content

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Casket Stolen

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 28, 2020

Funerals usually go calmly. But sometimes things happen that change everything. Perhaps the greatest example is that of Easter morning, as the women arrive to prepare the body, only to find that the stone was rolled away and the body of Jesus was missing. There was much running around and great ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8, Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-10, Mark 16:1-8

Tags: Easter, Tomb, He Is Risen, Stone Rolled Away, Ressurection, Missing Body, Mary At Tomb  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Spirit Of Fear

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

There was a lady who died in 1916 named Hetty Green. She has been called “America’s greatest miser.” When she died in 1916, her estate was valued at $100 million. But she was so miserly that she ate cold oatmeal in order to save the expense of heating the water. When her son had a severe leg ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Tags: Fear, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Spirit Of Fear

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gossip Test

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Do I get excited when I hear, “Have you heard…?” Does my heart do a little dance when someone starts with, “You won’t believe what I just found out!” If so, you know the answer—it’s gossip. If you find yourself pulling up a chair and grabbing some popcorn, it’s time to rethink your choices. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Tags: Prayer, Gossip, Power Of Words, Test

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2025

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91 Judy Anderson grew up as a missionary kid in Zaire. As a little girl, she went to a day-long rally celebrating the 100th anniversary of Christian missionaries coming to that part of the country. After a full day of messages and music, an old man came ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Eternal Life, Refuge, Cross Of Christ, Messiah Prophecies, Fear, Protection, Resurrection, Trust, Overcome, Fortress  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

As I Was Growing Up With A Younger Brother And ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Goble on Oct 30, 2007

As I was growing up with a younger brother and sister, one of our favorite games to play was baseball. We had a plastic bat and ball, and we would team up with some of the neighborhood kids and play ball in the back yard. On one particular occasion my mom took our bat away from us because we were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-21

Tags: Forgiveness, Blood, Satan, Giving, Selfless, Care, Regeneration, Sacrificial, Young Men, Fear Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Away With It Is Half The Fun

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 19, 2020

I must admit I don't get away with very much, and I never have. It's not that I never try. It's just that whenever I try to get away with something, it always backfires. I wish there were a class somewhere entitled, "How You Can Get Away with Anything." I certainly would sign ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:23

Tags: Sin, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

From Roast Turkey To Reindeer

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 9, 2023

Nothing is more confusing than being in the middle of two holidays. I have just finished Thanksgiving, and now Christmas is before me. Each year, it gets more difficult to adjust to the next holiday. It’s hard for me to keep up. For months, the focus was on that roast turkey for Thanksgiving. And ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Turkey, Reindeer, Christmas, Thanksgiving

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[179]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Coin

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 27, 2025

[179]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE COIN In this trilogy of poems we are looking at three objects lost – a sheep, a coin and a son. All three were loved and precious and the owners knew stress at the lost. When each was found it resulted in great rejoicing. These three ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:8, Genesis 6:6, Luke 15:8-10

Tags: Heart Of God, The Heart Of God, Grieved, Christian Poems, Parable, Lost, Lost Coin, Lost And Found, Rejoicing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[240]. A Message From A Poem – Smothering Of Delusional Creep

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 20, 2025

[240]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SMOTHERING OF DELUSIONAL CREEP This is a very serious poem. It is about delusion that is now a feature of this world in many ways. What does the title mean? Well first of all we have delusion that creeps along like a snail, but creeps steadily. As it goes it ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:9, 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:4

Tags: Homosexuality, Delusion, Climate Change, Marxism, Evolution, Deception, Islam  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ode To The Old Lady In The Mirror  PRO

Contributed by James Kelley on Feb 11, 2002

Ode to the Old Lady in the Mirror A very weird thing has happened. A strange old lady has moved into my house. I have no idea where she came from, or how she got in. I certainly did not invite her. All I know is that one day she wasn’t there, and the next day, she was. She is a clever old lady, ...read more

Tags: Romantic Love

Denomination: Baptist

In The Summer Of 1988 I Found Myself Temporarily ...  PRO

Contributed by Jay Patton on May 16, 2002

In the summer of 1988 I found myself temporarily assigned to Camp Pendelton, California Marine Corps Base. I’d requested to go to search and rescue school and I had gotten my wish. Search and rescue, in case you didn’t know, is pretty much as it sounds. Whenever someone turns up missing, or an ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

Our Dungeons  PRO

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Oct 10, 2004

"Our Dungeons" (by Rev. Terry L. Barnhill) A story tells of a man who was imprisoned within an ancient stone dungeon. A grey shadowy jailor shook the iron lock on his daily rounds. It was the only sound that reminded the prisoner he was not alone in all the hopeless, dim and dying world of his ...read more

Tags: Christian Liberty

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Little Boy's Knots!" Revelations 19:11-17 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 15, 2005

“A Little Boy’s Knots!” Revelations 19:11-17 Key verse(s): 16:“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KINGS OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” There’s something about being rescued this is so completely satisfying. A number of years ago (pre-cell phone days) I was driving along the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-17

Tags: God's Forgiveness, God's Provision, God Cares, Protector, Provider, Strengthen  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

I Have A Friend Who Works With A Church In ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Jul 26, 2005

I have a friend who works with a church in Nashville. He was telling us a few weeks ago about a lady at his church who was really convicted by what she had been reading in the scriptures and hearing at church. She felt that she has no other choice but to take the love of God out to a dying world ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ