In Sermon Illustrations: "Forgive Them"

One Day A Young Minister Was Being Escorted ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 4, 2005

“One day a young minister was being escorted through a coal mine. At the entrance of one of the dim passageways, he spied a beautiful white flower growing out of the black earth. ‘How can it blossom in such purity and radiance in this dirty mine?’ the preached asked. ‘Throw some coal dust on it ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Forgiveness General, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Methodist

This Is The Most Sincere Adage: Sticks And ...

Contributed by Lisa Delay on Aug 28, 2005

This is the most sincere adage: Sticks and stones may well break bones, but tactless words break human hearts and spirits. A cutting comment isn’t pulling a trigger at someone’s head; it is far more concealed and sinister. Do not be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:8

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General, Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Once Had A Homeless Man Show Up At Our ...

Contributed by Robert Rose on Oct 18, 2005

We once had a homeless man show up at our mission. He had been walking for days to get someplace so that he might find work. His feet were blistered, his shoes were worn and his socks had holes. The case manager had a big heart, she had the man sit down and she got a pan of water. She proceeded ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Christian Disciplines, Poverty

Denomination: Holiness

Strength Won't Do It

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 30, 2011

STRENGTH WON'T DO IT My Dad died in Dec 04. He was the strongest man I ever knew...he was the most honest man I ever knew….he was a good farmer...good mechanic ...good Dad...good husband...but he wasn't strong enough to defeat death. If I could write down the good deeds my Dad done in his life on ...read more

Tags: Sin, Work, Judgment, Saved, Forgive  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Trading Places

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 7, 2014

Several years ago, a Baptist camp in Texas was having the annual softball game between counselors and campers on the last day of church camp. The teams divided up and went at each other. After the game started, a teenager in center field chased a long fly ball and hurt his ankle. His pastor was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Atonement, Forgiveness, Cross, Blood Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Covered Under His Wings  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 7, 2014

COVERED UNDER HIS WINGS It was a hot day in the dry old West. As the railroad came roaring down the tracks, sparks were flying everywhere because of the hot temperatures. When the sparks flew, often they would begin a fire that would destroy ranches, homes and livestock. One particular day, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Atonement, Forgiveness, Cross, Love Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Sin!!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

john Wesley visited General Oglethorpe when he was governor of the colony of Georgia. The general mentioned an incident involving a man who had angered him and remarked, "I shall never forgive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Mercy, Forgiveness, Sin, Judgment, Beatitudes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coronavirus And Our Need For The Transcendent

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 21, 2020

Children, as Jesus said, Don't be afraid. Your family is probably founded on some kind of faith. Listen to your parents and other adults whom you trust, and know that nearly everyone is working hard to get us through this trouble. ? In fifty years you will remember this crisis as one of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:27

Tags: Fear, Forgiveness, Pandemic, Covid 19

Denomination: Catholic

George Bailey Finds Out In The Movie, "It's A ...

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

George Bailey finds out in the movie, "It’s a Wonderful Life" that life is about giving not getting and having. Stop hoarding your money and spend it on helping other ...read more

Tags: Envy, Forgiveness General, Temptation General

Denomination: Lutheran

Martin Luther King Jr. Once Said, "The First ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2007

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The first question the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But ... the Good Samaritan reversed the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Parable Good Samaritan

Denomination: Christian Church

Thin Skinned And Hard Hearted

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

Somebody smarter than me said the greatest problem in the local church is that we are not who we were designed by God to be. As Believers, we were made to be thick-skinned and tender hearted. That’s how we can “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22) Instead, we have become ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Peter 1:22

Tags: Forgiveness, Fervent Love, Tender Hearted

Denomination: Methodist

A Young Girl Grows Up On A Cherry Orchard Just ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. "I hate you!" she screams at her father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Tags: Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Forgiveness, Welcome Home, Parable Prodigal Son, New Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Refuse Good Advice And Watch Your Plans ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on May 22, 2001

“Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed” (Proverbs 3:21). We can say it another way: Heed wise counsel, or watch your hopes be cancelled. The hard won truth of this proverb is evident in an experience that riveted my generation. In January of 1985 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1

Tags: Leadership General, God's Forgiveness, God's Omniscience

Denomination: United Methodist

The Captain Of An Aircraft Carrier Had Ordered A ...  PRO

Contributed by James O. Davis on Dec 5, 2001

The captain of an aircraft carrier had ordered a total blackout on the ship. They were in enemy waters in the North Atlantic Sea. He was ensuring the safety of the ship and crew. The leading plane radioed to the ship asking for the lights to be turned on, so they could land safetly. The radio ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Cross Agony, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Doolittle Raider  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 23, 2001

THE DOOLITTLE RAIDER The entry for the May 8, 2000 Promise Keepers’ devotional guide, Men of Integrity, shared this story: After a daring and successful 1942 bombing raid over Japan, led by Jimmy Doolittle, Bombardier Jacob DeShazer was one of eight downed in Japanese-occupied China. The ...read more

Tags: Offering, God's Provision, Excitement, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Church Of God

Unusual People, Unexpected Places

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 8, 2011

UNUSUAL PEOPLE, UNEXPECTED PLACES Akiane Kramarik is only 12 years old, but she has abilities far beyond her years. Her mother chose to give birth to her underwater at the family home on July 9, 1994 in Mount Morris, Illinois. The family now lives in Idaho. Akiane speaks four languages, writes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Christian Witness

Got An Attitude??  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Got an Attitude?? Scripture says this about your attitude: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Attitude General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Poor Choices--His Good Grace!" Genesis 16: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 27, 2004

“Our Poor Choices--His Good Grace!” Genesis 16: 1-15 Key verse(s): 3: “So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.’” Do you ever pray for discernment? People tend to pray for things that they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-15

Tags: God The Father, God's Forgiveness, Commitment, Belief

Denomination: Lutheran

Bryan Chapell Tells This Story That Happened In ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Sep 2, 2001

Bryan Chapell tells this story that happened in his hometown: Two brothers were playing on the sandbanks by the river. One ran after another up a large mound of sand. Unfortunately, the mound was not solid, and their weight caused them to sink in quickly. When the boys did not return home ...read more

Scripture: John 6:68-71

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines, Christian Love

Denomination: *other

It Is Said That Cyrus, The Founder Of The Persian ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 16, 2001

It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of my wealth,” was his reply. “And if I release your children?” “Everything I ...read more

Tags: Romantic Love, Marriage Obligations, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Wesleyan