In Sermon Illustrations: "Free Will" showing 621-640 of 1,472

In 1949, Following The Defeat Of Nazi Germany In ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 30, 2003

In 1949, following the defeat of Nazi Germany in WW II and the re-organization of Europe, the nation of Germany was divided into East & West. In the East a communist government was set up under the influence of the Soviet Union. In the West a free, democratic government was set up and benefitted ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let Me Tell You The True Story Of A Duke Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Thomas on Feb 13, 2004

Let me tell you the true story of a duke who lived during the fourteenth century named Raynald III. Raynald III lived a life of indulgence and was obese. His Latin nickname was Crassus, which means, “fat.” One day Raynald and his younger brother, Edward, got into a vicious fight and Edward planned ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1

Tags: Addiction

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Across Nicaragua, Graffiti Plastered Houses, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

Across Nicaragua, graffiti plastered houses, walls, and public buildings. The most prevalent campaign slogan everywhere was: “Daniel 5:25.” Intended to be a simple instruction on how to vote, it literally meant, “Vote for Daniel Ortega, the 5th position on the ballot, on the 25th day of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Tags: Daniel

Greeting The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

GREETING THE QUEEN Greeting Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2007 was quite a chore and challenge to the Americans. "Do people wear pants, dresses or business attire to meet the queen?" was a common question guests fortunate to be invited to meet the queen asked. Dinner attire was white tie and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-16

Tags: Second Coming

Thanksgiving At Plymouth ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2009

Thanksgiving at Plymouth Colony Think of that little band of people who crossed the Atlantic in a boat that was 26 feet by 112 feet and landed on the New England coast during a bitter cold winter. At times that first year the daily ration of those who were well was only five grains of corn. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Holiday

The Eagle And The Mouse  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 1, 2011

THE EAGLE AND THE MOUSE There is an old story of an eagle who, on an early morning during the spring thaw, soared high above the forest looking for something to eat. As he followed the course of a river he looked down and spied a small rodent, trapped on a piece of ice that had broken free and was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Tags: Temptation Power

I Could Have Done More  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 18, 2011

I COULD HAVE DONE MORE The film Schindler's List chronicled the heroic efforts of a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler. Through his unselfish activities, over a thousand Jews on the trains to Auschwitz were saved. After Schindler found out what was happening at Auschwitz, he began a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17, Luke 16:9

Tags: Stewardship, Illustration

The Most Memorable 4th Of July Celebration For Me ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

The most memorable 4th of July celebration for me happened at Fort Devens, Massachusetts in 1986. The fireworks are usually excellent at any military base for the 4th of July, but that is not what I remember. The cannons shooting at the playing of the 1812 Overture was impressive, but not the most ...read more

Tags: Surrender, Independence Day

In His Book Ghost Soldiers, Hampton Sides Tel...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

In his book Ghost Soldiers, Hampton Sides tells the story of a dramatic mission during World War II. On January 28th, 1945, 121 hand-selected Army Rangers slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines in an attempt to rescue 513 American and British POW’s who had spent three years in a hellish ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36

Tags: Christian Liberty

Auto Body Repair Ministry--I Have A Friend Back ...

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Feb 9, 2010

- AUTO BODY REPAIR MINISTRY--I have a friend back home, Michael. Michael is without a doubt a man with a call from Jesus Christ into ministry. Michael ministry is owning and running an auto body repair shop. Running an auto body repair shop may sound like the farthest thing there is from a church, ...read more

Tags: Workplace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are The Merciful

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are The Merciful In the Sermon on the Mount, we notice that Jesus' subject was not on how people are to be saved, but on the fruit of those who allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. One of the signs or evidences that a person has been converted is that he is now merciful. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Some Thoughts On The Death Of A Child

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 1, 2024

Introduction: The death of a loved one is never easy to bear. The death of a child is no doubt even worse. Not counting wars, murder, enslavement, or any other heinous act, there were a number of people in both the Old and New Testaments who suffered the death of a child. Thanks be to God, I have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:22-23

Tags: David, Children, Death Of Infants

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Atchley Says That If You Went To The Average ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

Rich Atchley says that if you went to the average university campus today, & asked students if they know a verse of Scripture, most would say that they do. If you had asked 10 or 15 years ago, most would have quoted John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Truth, Truth Absolute

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A.w. Tozer Attempted To Reconcile These ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 21, 2001

A.W. Tozer attempted to reconcile these seemingly contradictory ideas of God choosing or calling us and our choosing God with this illustration: "An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-10

Tags: Certainty, God's Sovereign Will, God's Omniscience, Sovereign

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Early 1900's Through The 1960's Broadway ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Caley on Mar 3, 2002

In the early 1900’s through the 1960’s Broadway Presbyterian Church was a powerful witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Upper Manhattan, but from the 1960’s to the 1990’s a subtle change began to take place, a change in emphasis stole in as massive feeding programs for the homeless were ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:28

Tags: Poverty, What Is Evangelism?, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Humility To Listen  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 19, 2002

THE HUMILITY TO LISTEN Several years ago, a Greensboro, North Carolina, newspaper carried a story about a tractor-trailer rolling along on a side street in a southern city. The driver came to a low bridge and misjudged the height of his rig. When the truck came to a stop, it was wedged tightly ...read more

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, Jesus Christ, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: United Methodist

Taken From The Tomb Of A Bishop In Westminster ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 26, 2002

Taken from the tomb of a Bishop in Westminster Abbey 1100 A.D.: When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser and realized the world would not change I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country: but it ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Sharing Your Faith, Giving Yourself

Denomination: Mennonite

Never Enough  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

NEVER ENOUGH The story is told of two old friends who bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died ...read more

Tags: Miss The Point, Money, Peace, Joy, Selfish, Blind  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Mennonite

Crying Out  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 17, 2003

CRYING OUT A father tells this story: I was $20,000 in debt with unsecured loans. For two years I had been trying to sell some land to cover the debt, but I couldn’t even get a phone call of interest. I tried Realtor after Realtor without success. Finally, in desperation, I walked into the woods ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Tags: Prayer In The Spirit, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Do We Repent? I Want To Show You A Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 4, 2004

How do we repent? I want to show you a great example of repentance from a recent film. Jim Carey, in the film Bruce Almighty, finally comes to the end of himself and surrenders to God in prayer. His prayer is a good model to follow. (Show clip) As Bruce kneels he says to God, “You win. I’m ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Methodist