In Sermon Illustrations: "Follower"

[020] A Message From A Poem - Arrogance Without Truth

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 26, 2024

[020] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ARROGANCE WITHOUT TRUTH Those of us who are older know very well the great change that has come over our societies from what we lived under in the 1950s to the 1990s at which point it all started to decline. The decline is rapid now as we see lawlessness, riots, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Tags: Truth, Arrogance, The Me Generation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[035] A Message From A Poem – Beware The Fowler

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 25, 2025

[035] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEWARE THE FOWLER GOTCHA! We hear that in children’s play and in some games. In fact I think there may have even been a board game in the 1950s with that title. Have you ever watched a spider on its web sitting there silently and an insect becomes ensnared in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 124:7-8, Psalm 91:3

Tags: Pitcher Plant, Spider Web, God Delivers Us, Caught, Fowler, Trapper, Ensnared, Gotcha  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[056]. A Message From A Poem – Death Is Not A Mystery

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 12, 2025

[056]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DEATH IS NOT A MYSTERY We just had a poem on Death for the Christian, and in this one now, the concept is continued, though the poems are separated by over 20 years. Each stanza deals with a different aspect of life. For me the poem is a testimony of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Acts 2:27

Tags: Death, Mystery, Poetry, Poem, Sheol  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Embracing God's Grace

Contributed by Rev. Randy Barker on Apr 2, 2025

Title: Embracing God's Grace: A Message of Hope from the Churches of Christ in Christian Union Introduction: Dear Friend, We are delighted to share with you the message of God's grace and the transformative power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In this gospel tract, we will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Grace, Mercy

Denomination: *other

[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

[136]. A Message From A Poem – I’m Just Changing Residence

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[136]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I’M JUST CHANGING RESIDENCE I have lived in my current home for 45 years. Before that we lived in a home for 10 years. I have only ever owned two homes. Some people change homes like they change clothes. When a Christian dies some say, “He has gone home to be ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Point Of Death, New Address, Heaven, Dying, Homes, Absent From The Body, Dwelling Places, Residence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[137]. A Message From A Poem – If There Is Despair Such As In Virus Times

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 18, 2025

[137]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IF THERE IS DESPAIR SUCH AS IN VIRUS TIMES This poem was written in the middle of the COVID virus, that terrible scourge from China. Depending on where you lived in the world, you suffered repression from governments, some not too bad, but others were draconian. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:7-8, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Rider On The Fourth Horse, Pestilence, Repression, The Pale Horse, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Covid Virus, Difficult, Hard, Hard Times, Virus, Difficult Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[139]. A Message From A Poem – If Your Life Belongs To Jesus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 22, 2025

[139]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IF YOUR LIFE BELONGS TO JESUS In June 2020 I found a poem of mine that I began some time in the past and had forgotten about. It was unfinished for 9 years. I then checked the date and it said 29 May 2011. It was in June 2020 that I wanted to finish it. The ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, John 1:10, Philippians 2:14-16

Tags: Do Not Fear, Stand For Jesus, Christian Poems, Belong To Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Boosegumps

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 13, 2025

Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever felt something wonderful inside—like tiny happy bubbles that make you want to smile from the inside out? Not like bubbles in a 7-Up or soda can—these are bubbles that only your heart can feel. I call them Boosegumps. Now, if you were to go to a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Conversion, Kindness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Bob Russell Shared That Several Months Before ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

*Bob Russell shared that several months before they moved into their new church building in 1998, their ministry staff met at the new site for a special staff meeting. Most of the building still wasn’t carpeted, and some of the rooms still had no drywall. They handed out hard hats, magic markers, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Wonderful, Imaginative Short Story By Nathaniel ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 24, 2002

A wonderful, imaginative short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates the necessity of having the right focus. It is entitled “The Great Stone Face.” The tale centers around a man named Ernest who grew up in a village renowned for a natural wonder that rested just outside its boundaries. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 11:16-23

Tags: Mother's Day, Story, Devotional, Humor

Not A Mountain Top Experience!" 1 Peter 1:13-25 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 2, 2005

“Not A Mountain Top Experience!” 1 Peter 1:13-25 Key verse(s): 15-16:“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” Blending in! Some of us prefer blending in to sticking out in a crowd. Then again there are others who are quite ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25, Luke 24:1-50

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Distract, Focus

Denomination: Lutheran

A Fair Piece To Go!" Zechariah 12:10-14 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 16, 2005

“A Fair Piece to Go!” Zechariah 12:10-14 Key verse(s) 10:“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.” Restlessness! When we were children it was not unusual for us to be restless. In fact, it was that restlessness that often got ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 12:10-14

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit Attributes, Cleansing

Denomination: Lutheran

A Seminary Professor Was Vacationing With His ...  PRO

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Nov 2, 2006

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-22, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Discernment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pastor Charles Stanley—who Is An Author And Bible ...  PRO

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Feb 14, 2007

Pastor Charles Stanley—who is an author and Bible teacher—tells this story from his seminary days. He writes: “One of my most memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating the concept of grace for his students. At the end of his evangelism course he would hand out the exam ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

65279;on April 28, 1999, Just Eight Days After ...  PRO

Contributed by Stan Martin on Aug 25, 2003

On April 28, 1999, just eight days after the Columbine shooting, shock rock singer Marilyn Manson was scheduled to perform a concert in Iowa City, Iowa. And since Manson’s music was prominent in the lives of Columbine killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, there was a lot of emotion ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Return, Unconditional Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection Of The Dead  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 26, 2003

The Resurrection of the Dead Avijah Powers felt moderately sure nobody would recognize him when he registered under an assumed name at the little inn. It was more than twenty years since he had left the town--a hard, reckless boy, running away from a good father and a devoted mother because he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, James 1:9-11

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In 1994, Two Americans Answered An Invitation ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 12, 2004

In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Pentecostal

Forgiveness In Action  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 6, 2004

Forgiveness in Action Pastor Hayes a man in his middle forties, was well-loved by his congregation, and faithful to God and to his family. He enjoyed a successful ministry in an exuberantly vital, growing church. Just when everything seemed to be going well, a cloud came over this man and his ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Citadel Of The Spirit!" Galatians 4: 1-16 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 22, 2004

“The Citadel of The Spirit!” Galatians 4: 1-16 Key verse(s): 16 “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth.” There’s an old proverb that simply states, “Anger begins with folly, and ends with repentance.” I can remember many times in my life when, confronted by someone’s correction, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-16

Tags: Anger

Denomination: Lutheran