In Sermon Illustrations: "Friendship General"

Here Are The Results From A New Gallup Survey ...  PRO

Contributed by Tj Tipton on Mar 31, 2001

Here are the results from a new Gallup survey called, The Unchurched American. Findings from the Gallup survey of 2,556 adults who were not church-goers: 1. The survey reports that 44% of U.S. adults are "unchurched", defined as neither belonging to a church nor visiting one within the last six ...read more

Tags: Church General, Sharing My Testimony, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Pentecostal

According To A Poll On Prayer For Newsweek ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Apr 6, 2001

According to a poll on prayer for Newsweek (3/31/97), the following percentage said: They ask for health or success for a child or family member when they pray -- 82 They ask for strength to overcome a personal weakness -- 75 They never ask for financial or career success -- 36 God answers ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer, Prayer Of Faith, Prayer General, Provision  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

It Is An Extremely Hot Day In A Major Desert ...  PRO

Contributed by Royce Hendry on May 24, 2001

It is an extremely hot day in a major desert city. The city bus is crowded. The people are tired and miserable. Suddenly, a young man begins cursing. It’s one cuss word after another. The bus driver looks in mirror and can tell the people are ashamed for him. When the young man got off the bus, ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Inner Peace, Sharing My Testimony, Peace

Denomination: Baptist

The Roof Of The Church Hall Of A Little Swiss ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 8, 2001

The roof of the church hall of a little Swiss church, at the turn of the 20th century, was falling down. So the members of the church held regular prayer meetings in the hall after the service to pray for funds to repair the roof . There was an old man, known to be very tight with his money, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Tags: Church Practices, Humor, Giving General, Spiritual Warfare, Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Stranger By Billy Joel  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 21, 2001

"The Stranger" by Billy Joel Well we all have a face that we hide away forever And we take them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone Some are satin, some are steel, some are silk, and some are leather They’re the faces of the stranger, but we love to try them on Well we all fall in love, ...read more

Tags: Satan, Sin Against God, Temptation General, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Voice Mail  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 20, 2001

VOICE MAIL While we have a direct access to our Heavenly Father, imagine if He had one of those computer-answering devices. It might be something like this: As we begin to pray we hear... Thank you for calling your Heavenly Father’s house. Your call may be monitored for quality assurance. Please ...read more

Tags: Ever, God's Omniscience, Illustration, Prayer Adoration, Prayer General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Steward Is Like A Manager Of A Local Mcdonald's ...  PRO

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Mar 7, 2002

A steward is like a manager of a local McDonald’s Restaurant who carries out the aims of the owners, maximizes profits, while handling all the problems. Dr. Towns teaches a stewardship lesson in the Pastor’s Bible Class at Thomas Road Baptist Church which is the most requested lesson of all he has ...read more

Tags: Pessimist, Unknown, Testimony, Giving General, Church Practices, Belong  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

No Secrets Here  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 3, 2002

NO SECRETS HERE A young couple decided to wed. As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive. Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice. "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8, Ephesians 5:31, Ecclesiastes 4:1-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Marriage, Marriage General, Oneness, Weddings, Unity, Conflict, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

An Answered Prayer  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 26, 2002

AN ANSWERED PRAYER John Maxwell writes in his book, Partners in Prayer; "In the summer of 1876, grasshoppers nearly destroyed the crops in Minnesota. SO in the spring of 1877, farmers were worried. They believed that the dreadful plague would once again visit them and again destroy the rich ...read more

Tags: Prayer Supplication, Prayer General, Prayer Answered, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Deep Within A Forest A Little Turtle Began To ...  PRO

Contributed by Edwin Amundson on Aug 9, 2002

Deep within a forest a little turtle began to climb a tree. After hours of effort he reached the top, jumped into the air waving his front legs and crashed to the ground. After recovering, he slowly climbed the tree again, jumped, and fell to the ground. The turtle tried again and again while a ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Backbone, Wish Bone, Jawbone Donkey, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Bob Russell Who Preaches In Louisville Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2002

Bob Russell who preaches in Louisville was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and he tells the story of his first youth minister who was a city-boy. Now his youth group was made up mostly of kids from the farm so they didn’t think they would have much in common with this city slicker and so weren’t ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Giving Yourself, Gifts General, Superhero, Hero  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

As We Conclude – Today I Want You To Imagine That ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 19, 2002

AS WE CONCLUDE – today I want you to imagine that your life is over… and you are led to a room.. there are 2 chairs in the room, one is for you and one for God and there is a DVD player. God pops in the DVD. It has your name on it – it says “Steve Malone – What Might have Been” IMAGINE – ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Gifts General, Good News, Death Nearness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I'm Standing For My Marriage  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Mar 7, 2003

I'M STANDING FOR MY MARRIAGE A former Pastor in Seattle, WA wrote a power statement about marriage… I am standing for the healing of my marriage! I won’t give up, give in, give out, or give over till that healing takes place. I made a vow; I said the words; I gave the pledge; I gave a ring; I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:2-12, 1 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 11:11, Malachi 2:13-16, Jeremiah 31:31-34  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faithfulness, Conflict, Commitment, Marriage General, Marriage Commitment, Marriage  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Now, What Areas Is The Holy Spirit Fully Engaged ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Dec 2, 2003

Now, what areas is the Holy Spirit fully engaged in? Each person is concerned about one or several issues in life: (a) Everyone wants to be loved. (b) Everyone wants his or her life to count. (c) Life is empty without Jesus Christ. (d) Many sitting here today are loaded down with guilt. (e) ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Holy Spirit General, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Pentecostal

On Their 50th Wedding Anniversary, A Couple ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Decker on May 23, 2004

On their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple summed up the reason for their long and happy marriage. The husband said, "I have tried never to be selfish. After all, there is no ’I’ in the word ‘marriage.’” The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:23-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:7-8, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 11:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Marriage General, Marriage, Oneness, Marriage Commitment, Faithfulness, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Friend Was In Front Of Me Coming Out Of Church ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 23, 2006

“A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is ready to shake hands. The Pastor grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside and said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" My friend replied, "I’m already in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, Romans 12:5

Tags: Church Body, Church General, Commitment, Body Of Christ, Attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

This Is Good  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

THIS IS GOOD The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!" One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-7

Tags: Hunger, Trusting God, Past, Fire, Memory, Attitude General  (view more)  (view less)

Given The Farm  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2014

The story is told of a farmhand who had worked for a married couple for several years. As time went on, the couple grew older and older and they couldn't do as much they had and the farm was beginning to look a little shabby. The paint on the barn was peeling. The fences had holes in them and slats ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:14

Tags: Servanthood, Attitude General, Heirs Of God, Co-Heirs With Christ

He Made His Worst Enemy His Best Friend!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

In the days of the American Revolution there lived at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a Baptist pastor by the name of Peter Miller who enjoyed the friendship of General Washington. There also dwelt in that town a man named Michael Wittman who was an evil-minded man who did all in his power to oppose this ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Agape Love, Friends, Enemies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Once Heard A Humorous Story About The Pope Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Makari on Jan 8, 2001

I once heard a humorous story about the Pope who was on a visit to America for a period of time. On his last day of the visit, he was delayed due to meetings and was unable to break away to catch a flight. Since he couldn’t depend on his Pope Mobile, he phoned for a limousine. When the limousine ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-16, Luke 24:13-16

Tags: Mistakes, Patience, Humility, Substitute, Sin General, Scapegoat, Temptation Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed