In Sermon Illustrations: "Following Instructions"

Just An Old Shoebox

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on May 23, 2024

Just an Old Shoebox It was just an old shoebox, With a pink faded ribbon wrapped around. The old house was sad and sat strangely quiet, Ever since Momma graced Heaven’s dawn. It’s like she had just turned loose of living, To dutifully follow Dad on. Brother and I had moved things for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:19, John 14:1-3, Lamentations 3:21

Tags: Secrets, Treasures, Shoebox, Precious Memories, Mother's Day, Memories, Junk  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[039] A Message From A Poem – Can We Understand His Goodness?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 28, 2025

[039] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CAN WE UNDERSTAND HIS GOODNESS? This poem is one of my absolute top favourites. It just flowed and I attribute it to the Lord’s presence when I wrote it. I think it came to me late one night as a happy rhythm and flowed quite well so that it was written quicker ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Malachi 3:2-4

Tags: Love, Salvation, Goodness, Poetry, Understand  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[102]. A Message From A Poem – God Sends No One To Hell

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 9, 2025

[102]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD SENDS NO ONE TO HELL The Introduction for this poem is longer than average. So as not to be misunderstood, the title of the poem does not mean God has no control over hell. He certainly does but just so that you don’t miss the message of the poem, I need to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:4, Revelation 19:20, Matthew 25:41, Isaiah 30:33, John 3:16, Mark 9:47-48, Revelation 20:14, Matthew 25:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hell, Gehenna, Lazarus, Poetry, Sheep And Goats, The Second Coming, The Lake Of Fire, Christian Poems, Wheat And The Tares  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[183]. A Poem Message – Millennial Reign Of Christ Described - Isaiah 11

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 5, 2025

[183]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST DESCRIBED - ISAIAH 11 I know there are some who don’t believe in the literalness of scripture and therefore reject the biblical concept of a Millennium. This poem is not an exegesis on any of that, but the content of a biblical passage I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:14, Isaiah 11:1-16, Revelation 20:4, Isaiah 11:9

Tags: The Millennial Reign Of Christ, Messiah Reigns, Peace, Knowledge, 1000 Years, The Millennium  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[188]. A Message From A Poem – My Jesus Is My Mighty Rock

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 6, 2025

[188]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY JESUS IS MY MIGHTY ROCK In the Old Testament the “ROCK” featured a lot. The first incident was when Moses struck the Rock at the Lord’s command {{Exodus 17:5-6 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:8, Psalm 31:2-3, Psalm 18:1-2, Exodus 17:5-6, 1 Corinthians 10:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Moses Struck The Rock, Rock, Security, Rock Of Offense, Mighty Fortress, Mighty Rock, Christian Poems, Jesus, Moses, Safety, Salvation, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[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

[211]. A Message From A Poem – Panoramic View From The Pinnacle (Part 2)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 24, 2025

[211]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PANORAMIC VIEW FROM THE PINNACLE (PART 2) NOTE: When I went to post this it could not be sent because it said the whole thing was too long. Therefore I had to split it into two Parts.. This is Part 2, the final part. This is a longer poem. Some might find it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 4:13

Tags: Lovers Of Money, Christian Poems, Pinnacle Of A Rock, Tech Companies, Humanism, Allegory, Degradation, Way, Images, Reprobates, Faith, Sports, Wickedness, Delusion, Reprobate  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rush To The Lord For Refuge.

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 28, 2025

RUSH TO THE LORD FOR REFUGE. This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:1-3, where the KJV says: 1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3. Trust in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Tags: Pain, Peace, Evil, Suffering, Trusting God, Righteousness, Horrible Times, Rejoice, Shelter, Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[314]. A Message From A Poem - Thoughts Based On Psalm 27 - Version 2

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 19, 2026

[313]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THOUGHTS BASED ON PSALM 27 - VERSION 2 This poem is Version 2 for Psalm 27. The difference between the two versions is metre. The first has a metre of 10 throughout but Version 2 has a metre of 11 throughout. Psalm 27 has 14 verses and contains some famous ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 27:9, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 27:3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: David, Faith, Protection, Light, Salvation, Strength, Wait, Deliverance, King David, Enemies, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grow As You Go.' The First Sermon In This Series ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 7, 2008

‘Grow as You Go.’ The first sermon in this series took us to Moses and his encounter with God. We were told that God had a role, an important one at that, for Moses and it was in line with God’s plan and story and not Moses’ plan and story. In other words, we ‘grow’ in our Christian faith and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11, Matthew 12:33-37, Acts 4:1-37

Tags: Outreach, Worship, Faithfulness, Practice, Examine, Education  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

A Little Girl's Prayer  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Oct 15, 2001

A LITTLE GIRL’S PRAYER One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do she died, leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity ...read more

Scripture: James 5:17, Hosea 6:2

Tags: Faith, Prayer General, Prayer Answered, Prayer

Denomination: Lutheran

Vital Statistics From Operation World (6th ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 17, 2002

Vital Statistics From Operation World (6th Edition, 2001, Patrick Johnstone, and Jason Mandryk) Paternoster, Waynesboro, GA 1. 15-25% of the population of the world is yet to hear a clear presentation of the gospel so that they can personally place saving faith in Christ for salvation. 2. Only ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Village That Lives By The Bible  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 9, 2003

The Village that lives by the Bible by Clarence W. Hall It was early in 1945 when, as a war correspondent on Okinawa, I first came upon Shimabuku, the strangest and most inspiring community I ever saw. Huddled beneath its groves of banyan and twisted pine trees, this remote village of some 1000 ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Work With It!" Romans 12: 1-8: Key Verse(S): 6 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 10, 2004

“Work With It!” Romans 12: 1-8: Key verse(s): 6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” “All things being equal!” Where that may be the rallying cry of today’s philosophical democratically-driven culture, it wasn’t the impetus for justice in the Brunner household as I was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8, Mark 1:21-28

Tags: Family, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

Bearish Schedule--Bullish Timing!" Galatians 5: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 4, 2004

“Bearish Schedule--Bullish Timing!” Galatians 5: 22-24 Key verse(s): 22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Part of the fun of living are those times and events in our lives that happen spontaneously; that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Lutheran

Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!" John 8: 12-20 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 4, 2004

“Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!” John 8: 12-20 Key verse(s): 16: “‘But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.’” The young man sat before the bench, head held low, hands hanging loosely at his side. His crime had been serious and parents, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Judgement

Denomination: Lutheran

Where God's Finger Points!" Psalm 9: 17-18 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 13, 2004

“Where God’s Finger Points!” Psalm 9: 17-18 Key verse(s): 18: “But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.” With all the poverty in the world it is sometimes difficult to understand why God allows such suffering. It has been estimated that over 35% of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:17-18

Tags: Poverty, Hope, Hopelessness

Denomination: Lutheran

Is It Time Yet!" Psalm 75: 1-10 Key Verse(S): 2: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 28, 2004

“Is It Time Yet!” Psalm 75: 1-10 Key verse(s): 2: “You say, ‘I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly.’” “Is it time yet?” I can’t tell you how often I have heard those words over the years after having raised four children who were always interested in knowing when the “time” was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:1-10

Tags: Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

If You Can't Beat ‘em?" Philippians 1: 12-14 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 5, 2005

“If You Can’t Beat ‘Em?” Philippians 1: 12-14 Key verse(s): 14:“Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! We’ve all said it at times when it just seemed hopeless and there ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14, Philippians 1:12-14

Tags: Faith, Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

Tiger Breath!" Matthew 6:9-13 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 6, 2005

“Tiger Breath!” Matthew 6:9-13 Key verse(s): 13:“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It has been foreordained that life is a temptation! Now that is a depressing thought if I ever heard one. Foreordained? That means that no matter what I do or how I do it, ultimately I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin Exposed, Risk Of Sin, Release, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Lutheran