In Sermon Illustrations: "Forever"

Rent A Family…?

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 14, 2013

RENT A FAMILY...? I read a recent article about how people in Japan are so busy that older people can now rent a family. Here’s the quote: "In Japan, you can rent a family. Elderly Japanese who are isolated from their children by the frantic pace of modern life can rent a 'family' for lunch and a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

A Gift Of Kindness - You Never Know

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Oct 20, 2018

A number of years ago, my husband and I went to Applebees on our Anniversary for a quiet dinner together. It was, indeed, very quiet, because my husband had just been ordered to undergo an MRI, and we knew that the results might change our future forever. Still, we did what old married couples ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:31, Hebrews 13:2, Matthew 25:39-40

Tags: Do Unto Others, Love Your Neighbor, Loving Acts, Kind Acts

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Know Who You Are Fighting

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

The Nature of Our Enemy One of the foremost rules of warfare is: know your enemy. The more you know about your enemy-how he thinks, what motivates him-the better you are able to devise a means of counteracting his moves and defeating him. To overcome the enemy of our eternal spirit, the devil, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: Enemy, Satan

Denomination: Pentecostal

Obstacles To The Goal

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 29, 2021

COLLEGE: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE HIT REAL HARD. ROY RIEGELS WILL FOREVER BE KNOWN AS “WRONG WAY ROY.” Roy played for the University of California from 1927 to 1929. Back then freshmen and sophomores never played on varsity. On January 1, 1929 Roy played in the ROSE BOWL. The GOLDEN ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-15, Matthew 13:45

Tags: Goal, Obstacle

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Illustration About Ephesians 2:9

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 30, 2022

The author of this illustration is G. M. Landis. I have no idea who this person is or was. I had bought a Bible at a thrift store and the piece of paper with this illustration was inside the front cover (this was a hardcover Bible). The illustration itself appears to have been written for a daily ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:9

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Works, G M Landis

Denomination: Baptist

Yesterday Today & Tomorrow

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on May 22, 2024

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control. All the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:34

Tags: Worry, Tomorrow, Today, Yesterday, Trouble  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Beggar Lived Near The King's Palace. One Day ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 23, 2002

A beggar lived near the king’s palace. One day he saw a proclamation posted outside the palace gate. The king was giving a great dinner. Anyone dressed in royal garments was invited to the party. The beggar went on his way. He looked at the rags he was wearing and sighed. Surely only kings ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Henry Ford Museum In Dearborn, Michigan, Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2002

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, is a monument to the Industrial Revolution in America. Created by Henry Ford himself, it chronicles Ford’s innovations that changed forever the nature of work in America. Ironically, next door to the Ford Museum is a different kind of monument – also ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are the Poor In Spirit Seldom in history have so few words been spoken with so much meaning. The Beatitudes of our Lord are powerful, holding before believers and unbelievers alike a descriptive picture of the true disciple of Christ. The Beatitudes cover the glorious hope and are a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[041] A Message From A Poem – Christ - Our Support In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 1, 2025

[041] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRIST - OUR SUPPORT IN HURT We can pass through stormy seas and feel like those disciples in the boat when calm gave way to anxiety, but Jesus was in the boat resting in peace. The disciples focussed on the conditions and not on the Lord. Is that like us as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 56:11, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16, Mark 4:37-40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Always With You, Hurt, Afraid, Support, Alone, Anxious  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Here Kitty  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2002

HERE KITTY Once there was a man named Jim who let his dog out to do its business late one night. He watched some TV and then remembered to let the dog back in. When he opened the door, he was shocked at what he saw! In his dog’s mouth was his neighbor’s cat, dead! "Bad dog! BAD DOG!" said the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1, Jonah 1:1, Jonah 1:1

Tags: Faith, Truth, Leadership General

"Theology In The Pew"  PRO

Contributed by Ronald Keller on Oct 15, 2002

“THEOLOGY IN THE PEW” “A large share of people who attend Protestant or Catholic churches have adopted beliefs that conflict with the teachings of the Bible and their church, according to the latest release from the Barna Research Group (www.barna.org). There are some fundamental Christian precepts ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Bible Influence, Faith General

Denomination: Nazarene

At The Royal Palace Of Tehran In Iran, You Can ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2003

At the Royal Palace of Tehran in Iran, you can see one of the most beautiful mosaic works in the world. The ceilings and walls flash like diamonds in multifaceted reflections. Originally when the palace was designed, the architect specified huge sheets of mirrors be placed on the walls. When the ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

It May Help Us To Meet A Little Girl Named Lucy, ...

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

It may help us to meet a little girl named Lucy, a character in the delightful story by C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lucy found herself in the magical land of Narnia in the company of a Faun named Mr. Tumnus, who told her about the White Witch. "The White Witch? Who is ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Recall A Time When You Were Close To God? ...  PRO

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Feb 20, 2004

Can you recall a time when you were close to God? So close, I mean, you could swear you heard the rustle of angels’ wings? Maybe there was an expansive feeling within, perhaps a tear at the corner of your eye? I recall such a time. Believe it or not, I was in church. I was a student at Austin ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Creation

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Count Of Monte Cristo Tells The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 16, 2004

The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Dantes (James Caviezel) who is unjustly accused and sentenced to life in France’s most dreaded prison. During his years in prison, Dantes’ makes friends with a priest, (Richard Harris) whose godly influence has a huge impact on Dantes’ spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21

Tags: Character, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Picture Mounted On One Of The Original ...

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 5, 2007

There is a picture mounted on one of the original Norman pillars of our Church here at St Nicholas’ Church in New Romney, Kent, England. You will find it on the pillar closest to the war memorial at the back of Church and it is about a game of Chess. In the picture, Faust is engaged in a ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

I'm Sure Many Of You Will Know The Story Of ...

Contributed by Patrick Malone on Mar 20, 2005

I’m sure many of you will know the story of Victor Hugo’s epic tale LES MISERABLES. Well let me remind you this morning of the opening picture. Jean Valjean, our hero, is released on parole from 19 years of hard labour on a chain gang? His crime, he was caught trying to steal a loaf of bread. And ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Charles Allen Said Two People He Loved Most ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

CHARLES ALLEN said two people he loved most across the years were Bishop and Mrs. Arthur J. Moore. After Mrs. Moore’s death the Bishop wrote the following letter: "My dearly beloved Martha walked triumphantly into God’s house on Monday, August 17th. You can imagine how lonely the children and I ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

I Want To Close By Sharing The Devil's ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I want to close by sharing the Devil’s Beatitudes with you. 1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend even an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. 2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- ...read more

Tags: Satan