In Sermon Illustrations: "Fourth Watch Of The Night"

If Jesus Is Like My Daddy, I Don't Want Him In My Life.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 1, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, I was asked by one of our AWANA leaders to come to her group and talk to a little girl who really wanted to meet her pastor. She had a question for me. So, I paused what I was doing and found my way to where her group met in our church. The little girl was so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Divorce, Assurance, Promises Of God, Fathers, Evangelism, Fear, Children, Parents, Trust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Artesian Forgiveness!" Matthew 5: 43-48 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 30, 2004

“Artesian Forgiveness!” Matthew 5: 43-48 Key verse(s): 46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Here at Beech Springs one of the things that sets these few acres apart is the artesian well that highlights our front yard. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Kindness

Denomination: Lutheran

A History Of Thanksgiving ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

A HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING DAY In 1604 King James came to power in England. We hear his name often, as the most trusted version of the English Bible was translated during his reign – the King James Version. He was relatively tolerant of other religious opinions, except those that openly criticized ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Our Summer Vacation Jamboree

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 15, 2023

After months and months of planning, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage finalized our vacation plans for the summer. Because of our busy lifestyle, something like this cannot be done with just a snap of a finger, especially since the great-granddaughter invaded our family circle. If my wife ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:11

Tags: Unity, Vacation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[062a]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD TO SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE FIRST PART PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO THIS POEM This is my most serious poem because it addresses ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love, Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[237 G] [7]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 24, 2025

[237 G] [7]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 7 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:47-49, Matthew 7:24-27, John 14:26, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13, Mark 9:14-27, John 4:5-30, Luke 15:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Living Water, Wise Man, The Samaritan Woman, Foaming At The Mouth, Deaf And Dumb Spirit, Demon Cast Out, Foolish Man, The Lost Coin, Built On Sand, House Upon The Rock, Scenes From The Gospel, Son With A Demon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[290]. A Message From A Poem – The Roman Harlot Of Revelation 17

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 15, 2026

[290]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE ROMAN HARLOT OF REVELATION 17 This poem has its setting in Revelation chapter 17. Some of the expressions are taken from that chapter which I draw upon. Some find revelation 17 a mystery but there is no mystery to it when it is all placed in context. This is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:4, Revelation 17:18, Revelation 17:9, Revelation 16:8-9, Revelation 9:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Rome, Antichrist, Tribulation, False Prophet, Babylon The Great, Mother Of Harlots, Alexander Hislop, Christian Poems, The Harlot, The Whore  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Some Thoughts On Forgiveness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

SOME THOUGHTS ON FORGIVENESS Bernard Meltzer was a United States radio host for several decades. His advice call-in show was called "What's Your Problem?" Meltzer said, "When you forgive, you in no way change the past--but you sure do change the future." ------- Mark Twain had some sour thoughts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Tags: Forgiveness General

Chillin Ain’t What I Thought It Was

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 3, 2020

Last week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came up with a brilliant idea. At least, at the time, it seemed brilliant. “Why don’t we,” she began, “take Monday off and just chill?” Since it's been a long time since I did any chillin, I had to ask her, "What do we chill ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Humor, Vacation, Day Off

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

This Past Week, Josie Received A Rather ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

This past week, Josie received a rather interesting story via the e-mail that I would like to paraphrase for you this morning. Unfortunately, I do not know the name of the author. However, I do know that it was written by one of the students who witnessed this experiential sermon in a small ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21

Tags: Grace, Character, Purpose, Adversity, Troubles, Anger, Misfortune, Commitment To Christ  (view more)  (view less)

A Preacher Was Once Holding A Revival In An Old ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 12, 2001

A preacher was once holding a revival in an old tent. One night a man walked in an old shirt and cut off overalls. When the alter call was given he walked down the isle and got saved. After he finished praying through, the preaher asked him, "sir what was it that i said in my message that caused ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Sharing My Testimony

Wally Was A 7th Grade Student Who Was Bigger Than ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 6, 2001

Wally was a 7th grade student who was bigger than any of the other students in his Sunday school class. His mother had been an alcoholic when he was born, & as a result, Wally just did not have all the mental capabilities that the rest of his classmates had. But somehow he managed to get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7

Tags: Christmas Eve, Jesus Teachings, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mr. Horatio G. Spafford Was A Successful Lawyer ...  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Mar 8, 2002

Mr. Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer in Chicago and a member of the Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Church in that city. In the financial crisis of 1873, he lost most of his property. In the stress and strain of the times, he prevailed on his wife and four daughters to take a trip to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:23-26

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Baptist

Bill Wilson Pastors An Inner City Church In New ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Mar 22, 2002

Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to Christ. After her ...read more

Tags: Gifts General, Servanthood

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Room After All  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 21, 2002

ROOM AFTER ALL This is the story of a nine year-old boy named Wallace Purling. Larger than most kids, he was also slow in mind. But the children all liked him. He was so much bigger than they, but he never bullied them. In fact, he was the ever-present defender of the smaller boys. Wally wanted ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Week I Was Reading The Story Of An ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Oct 26, 2002

This week I was reading the story of an Australian couple who went to Bangladesh as missionaries. When Stuart and Margaret arrived in the country they were informed, by the Baptist missionaries already there that the Muslim people were impossible to reach with the Gospel message. For the six years ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Culture, Family, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Following Incident Is Vouched For By A Church ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Apr 11, 2003

The following incident is vouched for by a Church of England clergyman who knew all the circumstances. A young woman, who had been brought up in a Christian home and who had often had very serious convictions in regard to the importance of coming to Christ, chose instead to take the way of the ...read more

Tags: God's Judgment

Denomination: Baptist

Years Ago Father John Powell Told The Story Aboit ...  PRO

Contributed by Erik Estep on Nov 13, 2003

Years ago Father John Powell told the story aboit a young girl named Norma Jean Mortenson. She was a young girl who spent much of her childhood in foster homes. In one of those foster homes, when she was 8 years old, she was abused physically and given a nickel and told to tell no one. ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Baptist

138 Years Ago Today Marked A Key Event In Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Nov 13, 2003

138 years ago today marked a key event in our nation’s history. The date was July 1st, 1863. The location was a small town in Pennsylvania, a town at that time not known for much except a shoe factory that was there. Today, the name of this town represents the bloodiest and one of the most ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Lutheran

Mavis Lays An Egg  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 7, 2003

MAVIS LAYS AN EGG On a bright, beautiful day, full of promise, Mavis laid an egg. This was not an extraordinary event since Mavis was a chicken, but Mavis was not pleased. "An egg? An egg? What do I want with an egg?" said Mavis to herself. "An egg is just not in my plans. I’ll have to get rid ...read more

Tags: Abortion