In Sermon Illustrations: "Forgive Your Enemy"

John ...

Contributed by Michael Wiley on Jan 7, 2009

John 3:16 Introduction: Finished Shopping? What kind of gifts are you looking for? We look for gifts for Christmas that show our love for others. Joke; one man asked another, “what are you getting your wife?” “I’ll wrap myself.” “I’m not getting my wife much either.” ILL Little Sammy Williams ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When My Son Was 5, He Wanted To Be A Fireman. ...

Contributed by Tony Klinedinst on Mar 9, 2009

When my son was 5, he wanted to be a fireman. That Halloween, we all new what his costume choice would be. So we got him a bright yellow fireman costume and set out for trick-or-treat. As we went his insisted that we go to the local firehouse. I thought that was a fine idea. They would pass out ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: Baptist

[111]. A Message From A Poem – Harvest Through Death

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 19, 2025

[111]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HARVEST THROUGH DEATH This poem lay for 27 years waiting to be finished and now it is. Its theme is the fruit of Christ’s sacrifice as the Grain of Wheat. Jesus told to Andrew and Philip a truth I am sure the disciples did not understand. {{John 12:24-25 “Truly, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, John 12:24-25

Tags: Dying To Oneself, Harvest, Upon This Rock, Redeemed, Souls, Grain Of Wheat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Donkey That Spoke

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 24, 2025

My name? Oh, I’m Sassy—the braying donkey. Not the fastest, not the strongest… and definitely not the prettiest. But I’ve got a good heart — and a loud voice! (pause) Most days I carry my master, Balaam. He’s a prophet—important and proud. I don’t mind. I’m used to carrying heavy loads. But one ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:28-31, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 16:9, John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 1:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Obedience, Faithfulness, Courage, Voice, Listening  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

[256]. A Message From A Poem – The Bride’s Song

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[256]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE BRIDE’S SONG The Bride of Christ is the Church. It is also The Pearl of Greatest Price. Those who belong to Christ are members of the Church of the Bride. Not all who are in a church belong to the Church universal. Those redeemed members – truly saved – ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20, 1 John 4:19, Revelation 19:7-8

Tags: The Church Is The Bride, The Song Of The Bride, Sing, The Bride Of Christ, Christian Poetry, Sing Praises, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Calling Robert's Bluff  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2002

CALLING ROBERT'S BLUFF James Dobson tells a story about a ten-year-old boy named Robert who was a patient of a California pediatrician. When Robert was scheduled for a visit to the doctor’s office, the news would spread like wildfire. Nurses would whisper to themselves, “Batten down the ...read more

May 11, 2005 "Sunshine Following The Rain!" ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 9, 2005

May 11, 2005 “Sunshine Following the Rain!” Philemon: 17-19 Key verse(s) 18:“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” There is that precious, opportunistic moment; when a gentle hand by a touch on the shoulder is able to magically remove the sting of failure from the ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:17-19

Tags: Faith, Christian Love, Compassion

Denomination: Lutheran

The Guest Of Honor — Uninvited  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 16, 2005

Illustration – e-mail letter I received As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Western Heavens Were Alight With The Soft ...

Contributed by Manuel Amparo on May 10, 2006

The western heavens were alight with the soft afterglow of the long summer day. The last stirrings of the afternoon sea wind murmured drowsily in the moss-hung maples along the drive. Inside the old house, a small fire burned slowly on the stone hearth, while above it, comfortably set on the wide ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

None Of Us Get Out Without Pain

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

NONE OF US GET OUT WITHOUT PAIN There is a calendar entitled "The 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said." Each day, it features a stupid statement from someone. A page in the calendar had this amazing quote, "Listen closely: If you bought our course, ’How To Fly In Six Easy Lessons,’ we apologize for any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Love Of God

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2010

LOVE OF GOD Let’s say you had a child who kept getting in trouble, you kept bailing him out as a child, and eventually as he grew up even you couldn’t bail him out anymore, you had to let him go live his life the way he was choosing because nothing you or anyone else did could stop ...read more

Tags: God's Love

Simon Birch: A Purpose In Life

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

SIMON BIRCH: A PURPOSE IN LIFE How many of you remember a movie by the name of Simon Birch that came out in 1998? It tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy named Simon Birch who, despite his physical disabilities, believes that God has a plan for his life. "Simon was born tiny and with an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Tags: Examples Of Faith

Revealing The Spectrum Of God’s Love

Contributed by Fred Parker on Oct 23, 2014

Written by Pastor Fred Parker Sat, 4th June, 2011 Matthew 5:16 “…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” NIV Early one morning not long ago, I was reminded that the aura of God is revealed in the beauty of His light. The clouds were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Tags: Love, Light Of Truth, Spectrum, Jesus Loves

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Parental Sayings

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 19, 2022

God’s Parental Sayings The point of today’s message revolves around Jesus being the Son of God and what that means for us. That got me thinking about sayings we have all heard from our parents and things we never thought we would say. I wondered, what might God have said to Jesus… Him being His ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1

Tags: Jesus, God The Father, Parental Sayings

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[096]. A Message From A Poem – From Earth To Heaven

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[096]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN This poem is one of rhyming couplets and the theme is “now on earth, but looking towards being in heaven with the Lord.” Do you love the world? Well my answer is yes and no. I absolutely love the world, that is, the creation in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:2-3, Hebrews 6:19, Romans 3:11-18, Psalm 8:3, Psalm 19:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Creation, Glory, Heaven, Hope, Poem, The World, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[163]. A Message From A Poem – Joy For Sorrow - Care In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 14, 2025

[163]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JOY FOR SORROW - CARE IN HURT The title of this poem has two contrasts – sorrow turning to joy, and hurt adopting care. This poem was written 27 years ago and since that time much has changed in the world for the followers of the Lord. Persecution has increased ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6, 2 Corinthians 6:4-5

Tags: Hurting One, South Africa, The Holy Spirit, Martyred, Suffering Christians, World Press, Comforr, Joy, Africa, Sorrow, Iran, Sudan, Nigeria, Lord, Persecution, Evil, Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[171]. A Message From A Poem – Living In A Country Town

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 21, 2025

[171]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN This poem is a little idealistic but it was written with the aim of a possible country gospel song. It is not my personal experience, though I have lived in isolated areas including in the semi-desert outback for many years. I can well ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-2, Psalm 8:3-4, Hebrews 13:5-6

Tags: Christian Poems, Country Town, Creation, Faithful, Isolation, Caring, The Creator, Never Leave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Monkey Business

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 15, 2026

I want to tell you a story about monkeys. This story takes place in a country called India. When I was about your age, I lived with my parents and my brothers and sisters in India. In that country they have monkeys. The monkeys don’t live in zoos like they do here. They live in the trees—right ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5, Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Mercy, Wisdom

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Easter On The Bench!" Matthew 28:1-10 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 27, 2005

“Easter on The Bench!” Matthew 28:1-10 Key verse(s) 5:“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’” Spending Easter Sunday alone is no way to spend Easter! Yet, when you have a bad virus and don’t want to infect anyone else, it may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Lutheran