In Sermon Illustrations: "Focuse"

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

Raising The Dead

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Apr 12, 2012

RAISING THE DEAD Easter Services are supposed to be focused on Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Yesterday, the members of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Wagoner, OK, got an object lesson to go along with the sermon. Just before the services were to begin, the Sunday School Director, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Baptist

Running Past The Red Flags

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.” - Doug Larson The house looked like a fairy tale come true. Though my friend had a nagging feeling about the owners, she ignored it and went to inspect the house. It was spacious and full of sunshine with a big ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Wisdom, Caution, Lack Wisdom

Denomination: Charismatic

A Brief History Of The Jewish People And Israel.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jul 22, 2018

1. Introduction Ephesians 2 verse 19, it says … “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints, and also members of the household of God”. There is a lot in that verse … but I will start by focusing on the phrase, “members of the household of God” … so ...read more

Tags: The Jews, The History Of The Jews, The History Of Israel

Denomination: Episcopal

Let Go! Let Go!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 6, 2023

LET US STUDY THE EAGLE! I read about this boy that grew up in the city of New York. The boy fell in love with “EAGLES.” He checked every book out of the school library and the public library about “EAGLES.” As he got older he watched every movie, video and documentary he could find about ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Tags: Sin, Roots

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unexpected Journey Thru Cancer

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

The unexpected journey and a second Dove appeared on a difficult day walking thru cancer: I hit another rough day in the journey after my second surgery with Dr. Q – He got back pathology and said it did look good the light showed cancer lining my bladder like a carpet. When the Dr, Q called to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Tags: Encouragement, Cancer, Hope

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[082]. A Message From A Poem – For Men - The Three Gs

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 14, 2025

[082]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR MEN - THE THREE Gs There are 9 poems in this series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the first one in the first set - FOR MEN. ALL ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 1 John 2:16, Philippians 2:3

Tags: Glory, Gold, Strength, Poetry, Poem, Girls, Ensnare, For Men  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[084]. A Message From A Poem – For Men - The Three "fs"

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 16, 2025

[084]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR MEN - THE THREE Fs There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the third one in the first set - FOR ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:14, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Friendliness, Fellowship, Faithfulness, Poetry, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[308]. A Message From A Poem - This Sinful World Faces Reality

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 11, 2026

[308]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THIS SINFUL WORLD FACES REALITY The opening line sets the theme of this poem – “The differential is greater now than ever it was,” and becomes a contrast of what is righteous and what is wicked. The gap is widening and wickedness is growing. The 6 stanzas - each ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Revelation 21:1-2

Tags: World, Judgment, Reality, Decline, Coming Judgment, Sin In The World, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Name Is Vicki, And I Am Addicted. I Am Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Vicki Edwards on Apr 13, 2004

My name is Vicki, and I am addicted. I am not attempting at this time to recover, though I am growing more aware of my neediness daily. I’ll tell you of this obsession, which began in my childhood. My mother knew the same dependence, though I feel she is not as addicted as I am today. I wish she ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:8

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Addiction

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Comfortable Out-On-A-Limb!" Romans 11:33-36 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 23, 2005

“Comfortable Out-On-A-Limb!” Romans 11:33-36 Key verse(s) 11:“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Get real! When as a youth I heard this phrase, it often gave me reason to pause. If someone was insisting that I was caught up in a fantasy and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36

Tags: Trinity

Denomination: Lutheran

Good To Great: The Level 5 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

GOOD TO GREAT: THE LEVEL 5 LEADER One of the books I read recently was Jim Collins’ bestselling management book, "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap, and Others Don’t." The phenomenal bestseller came out seven years ago, and yet it still sells over 300,000 copies a year. It showcased ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Baby Steps!" Numbers 33: 1-49 Key Verse(S): 2a: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 29, 2004

“Baby Steps!” Numbers 33: 1-49 Key verse(s): 2a: “At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey . . .” I opened up the paper the other day and there staring me right in the face was a “huge success.” The newspaper was focusing on people who had made it; you know, those who ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 33:1-49

Tags: Gifts General

Denomination: Lutheran

Max Lucado: Angels Were Silent  PRO

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 4, 2006

Max Lucado (Angels were Silent) Describes how in a similar way we cry out for something to cut through the clutter of life, turning to faith and religion to give us simplicity, instead finding things just as complicated: Enter, religion. We Christians have a solution for the confusion don’t we? ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1, Romans 11:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Denomination: Lutheran

Sidewalk Flowers

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

"There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose." - Hubbard, Kin American Journalist (1868-1930) I once knew a woman who grew up in Oklahoma in a very poor family. She ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Persevere, Adversity, Disability, Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Charismatic

Recently I Received An E-Mail Which Dealt ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Dec 23, 2004

Recently I received an e-mail which dealt beautifully with the true meaning of Christmas. The theme of the message focused on children and was entitled, “Teach the Children.” Let me share it with you this morning. This is what it said: “I just finished the household chores for the night and was ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Catholic

Complete Silence  PRO

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 29, 2008

COMPLETE SILENCE In college, one of the jobs I had was working in a medical file warehouse. Talk about mundane, boring, monotonous. These were huge warehouses that contained millions of files from hospitals all over the San Francisco Bay Area. I did one of three things: I pulled a file for a ...read more

Tags: Disciplines Silence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Adultery And Ivan The Terrible

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2013

ADULTERY and IVAN THE TERRIBLE We need to look at adultery in the light of the manifestations of Ivan the Terrible in order to see how his rise to power, his government, his exploits and his fall closely compare with occurrences connected with adultery. Ivan the Terrible made an impact on Europe ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 7:6-27

Tags: Adultery

[046]. A Message From A Poem – Christians In Response

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[046]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTIANS IN RESPONSE This is another poem where I make use of rhyming patterns. Each line has an internal rhyme separated by one syllable. Here it is explained – “My life was SPENT, and WENT its way, with worldly discord gained.” The rhyming scheme for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19, Revelation 5:11-13

Tags: Praise, Christians, Response, Poetry, Poem, Death Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational