In Sermon Illustrations: "Fleshly Nature"

As Many Of You Know, We Vasiceks Temporarily ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 29, 2008

As many of you know, we Vasiceks temporarily housed a pet pig for over 6 months. So when this Australian story hit the press on Friday, I noted it. CANBERRA (Reuters) - A pony-size pig who held an Australian woman hostage for 10 days inside her home will be removed on Wednesday to a piggery… ...read more

Tags: Sin Exposed

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Tarsier Is One Of The Smallest Primates And ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 19, 2009

“The Tarsier is one of the smallest primates and lives in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra and the Philippines. Tarsiers have a maximum body length of 6⅓ inches and a 10½ inch tail. Their eyes are so large that they would be equivalent to grapefruit-sized eyes in a human being. Tarsiers, ...read more

Tags: Stress

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Fruit?  PRO

Contributed by John Tung on Feb 12, 2009

WHY FRUIT? Why are these character traits called fruit of the spirit? Why not other food groups: like meat of the spirit or bread of the spirit or dairy of the spirit? There are four reasons why it’s called fruit of the spirit: because fruit is healthy, sweet, living and whole. Fruit is healthy ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Spirit, Fruit, Fruit Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hatred's Bitter Fruit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

One of the worst cases of hatred I have ever come across is found in a will written in 1935 by a Mr. Donohoe. It says, "Unto my two daughters, Frances Marie and Denise Victoria, by reason of their unfilial attitude toward a doting father, … I leave the sum of $1.00 to each and a father's ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-32

Tags: Unforgiveness, Anger Management, Fathers, Daughters, Love, Family, Anger, Bitterness, Hate  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Silent Night Holy Night

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Dec 20, 2023

"Silent Night" is one of the most beloved Christmas carols, known for its serene and tranquil melody. The story behind the song begins in the small Austrian village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg in 1818. The lyrics were written by Joseph Mohr, a young priest, and the music was composed by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:16-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:4-20

Tags: Silent Night Holy Night, Stille Nacht, Christmas, Christmas Season, Carols, Birth Of Jesus Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Traveling To Heaven

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 29, 2024

Throughout my life I had always wanted to go to Germany. It wasn’t until my son moved over there and got married that we finally were able to do so. The trip wasn’t always easy, as we were stranded in New Jersey for a night after a flight was canceled. We were tired from the journey. But once ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:26

Tags: Resurrection, Heaven

Denomination: Lutheran

Knowledge Of Jesus

Contributed by Samuel M on May 16, 2024

The knowledge of you (Jesus) changes my understanding of who I am. The words I speak, the way I think, the life I live will radically change when I see you and get to know you Jesus. ‘I’ in me will alter (change or destroy) to become more like you (Jesus). Knowing and seeing you Jesus helps me to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8

Tags: Faith, Knowledge Of God

Word Pictures Of Biblical Forgiveness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

The importance of forgiveness is a constant theme of Scripture. There are no less than seventy-five different word pictures about forgiveness in the Bible. They help us grasp the importance, the nature, and the effects of forgiveness. • To Forgive Is to Turn The Key, Open the cell door, and let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Philemon, Lord's Prayer, Root Of Bitterness, Forgive Us Our Debts, Unforgivenes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Grandfather In The Bones - Humor

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 25, 2025

There was a quote from an elderly Christian that hit home for me concerning this battle with sin.... He would say: .... "Kill the old man......Kill him every day." Paul calls it a battle.... A daily battle ... that is fought within. This battle with the old flesh.......is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, Hebrews 2:15, Romans 6:3, Romans 6:23

Tags: Battle, Sin, Sanctification, Grandfather, Old Man  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

To Touch A Scorpion!" Matthew 5: 43-48 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 9, 2004

“To Touch a Scorpion!” Matthew 5: 43-48 Key verse(s): 44 “‘But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” Is it in our nature to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us? Getting even or, in the very least, shunning confrontation with those who would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: Lutheran

Because I Said So!" Romans 11:33-36 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 21, 2005

“Because I Said So!” Romans 11:33-36 Key verse(s) 11:“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Because I said so! If you are a parent the odds are that it is likely at some time in the course of that career you uttered these words with feeling. “Because I said so!” There ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Lutheran

Birds Of ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Birds of Feather Flock Together Many in America will tell you that they are Christians because they believe in Jesus Christ. Others attempt to proclaim their faith in Him by becoming members of a local church that they may or may not regularly attend. They have convinced themselves as long as ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ministering To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Ministering to Christ In The Midst of Disaster “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom… For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Not About Us!" 1 Samuel 15:27-35 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 4, 2005

“It’s Not About Us!” 1 Samuel 15:27-35 Key verse(s) 30:“Saul replied, ‘I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.’” We truly live in the age of self and ego. When you stop to think about it, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:27-35, 2 Chronicles 20:5-15

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Basics Of Christianity, Humility, Obedience, Impatience, Unrepentant, Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

These Days, However, Even Scientists Are ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 4, 2001

These days, however, even scientists are questioning the validity of the theory of evolution. In his book, Beside Still Waters: Searching for Meaning in an Age of Doubt, Award-winning journalist Gregg Easterbrook, writes: If the Big Bang had been slightly less violent, the expansion of the universe ...read more

Tags: Creation, Apologetics God

Denomination: Baptist

Have Some Ice Cream  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 30, 2001

Received in an e-mail Have Some Ice Cream "Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. ...read more

Listen Carefully  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

LISTEN CAREFULLY Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and ...read more

Tags: People In Acts, Holy Spirit Attributes, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Heard A Story That Probably Has More Truth Than ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 2, 2002

I heard a story that probably has more truth than fiction. It is about an employer who brought his employees in once a month for a pep talk. He would inform them of the future plans of the company, & try to excite them about their work so that they would be enthusiastic about what they were ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thanks For The Helmet  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 11, 2002

THANKS FOR THE HELMET Cecil Conrad was a farm boy, tired of waking up at the crack of dawn to clean up after cows. He lied about his age, joined the Army and helped free Asia from the Axis. But it was in the next war, battling Communists in Korea, that Conrad might truly have regretted his ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered, Joy, Thanksgiving Holiday

Some Weeks Ago I Was Watching The Health Channel ...  PRO

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Nov 16, 2002

Some weeks ago I was watching the Health Channel on TV. They showed and described different types of plastic surgery procedures. I was amazed at the things that plastics surgeons can do now-a-days. If you need more luscious lips, they can inject collagen and make your lips downright pouty. If ...read more

Tags: Pain, Money, Suffering, Giving, Finding Fulfillment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran