In Sermon Illustrations: "Genesis 17 1 7 15 16"

When Good Intentions Go Wrong

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 15, 2016

Illustration 2: In Tanzania, two guys went for an interview. One was smarter than the other but they were good friends and willing to work together so the less smarter could pass. The educated one said if he went first, he would come back with the answers to the interview questions. It happens that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-33

Tags: Examine, Dull, Dummy, Ax, Evaluate, Test, Independent, Follower, Repeat, Mess, Ignorant, Stupid, Intention  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Have You Ever Wondered Why Opportunity Knocks ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Dubose on Feb 19, 2002

Have you ever wondered why opportunity knocks once – yet temptation bangs ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:6, Genesis 39:6, Genesis 39:6-15

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Methodist

Monkey Reading The Bible

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 17, 2021

One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the monkey was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's The Origin of Species. In surprise he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books"? "Well," said the monkey, "I just wanted to know if I was my brother's keeper ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:25

Tags: Evolution, Darwin

Denomination: Methodist

A Kiss That Changed A Prodigal Into A Preacher!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 15, 2022

The late Joe Bayly was a gentle, godly Christian leader. I once heard him tell how one of his sons rebelled back in the days of the hippie movement. He grew his hair long and moved into a communal flophouse. Late one night, Bayly received a call informing him that his son was being held at one of ...read more

Tags: Prodigal Son, Fathers, Fathers And Sons, Luke 15, Parables, Lost, Father's Love, Unconditional Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Piper Wrote A Paper--Written Years Ago ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Dec 28, 2006

-John Piper wrote a paper--written years ago (1995)--on how Christian leaders should avoid sexual sin. Piper lists ten potential pitfalls and proposes ten protections against them: • PITFALL: Falling in love with the present world. PROTECTION: Think long and hard about the deadly poison of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: Love For God, Obedience, Glory Of God, Relationships

Denomination: Pentecostal

Confidence In A Crisis  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Nov 8, 2002

Green Bay Packers’ [now Seattle Seahawks] head coach Mike Holmgren looks back at a heartbreaking moment, when he was cut from the New York Jets as backup quarterback to Joe Namath, that directed him to a bigger plan. "I had committed my life to Jesus Christ when I was 11, but in my pursuit to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:23

Tags: Doubt, Growth In Christ, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marked Men

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

MARKED MEN There is a professor at Howard University Divinity School, a teacher and scholar, with an unusual name. A name that tells this very story. The distinguished professor of New Testament, the author of the book Troubling Biblical Waters, is named Cain Hope Felder. Dr. Felder tells his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:10-26

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

What Kind Of Worker Are You?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

WHAT KIND OF WORKER ARE YOU? The way you work in your business is one of the greatest ways you witness either for the Lord or against Him. Don't be a half-hearted worker like these: 1. The Vanisher - The vanisher seems to go invisible at odd times without explanation.  2. The Victim - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28

Tags: Work, Testimony, Business

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Americans Are Willing To Spend Billions To Lose ...  PRO

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 8, 2003

Americans are willing to spend billions to lose weight. Marketing products and services to dieters is a cinch, a dream, and a no-brainer big business, and easy money, because more than 120 million or 61% of people in the USA are overweight, obese, or overweight by 30 pounds or more. The common ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:4-6

Tags: Peace, Testing, Giving Yourself, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I'll Take Hymn!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 26, 2016

One Sunday, a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money. He asked the people to consider donating a little more than usual into the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns. After the offering plates were passed, the pastor ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:21-23

Tags: Marriage, Dating, Husbands And Wives, Singles

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Examples: Jacob: Wrestling With God (Gen. ...  PRO

Contributed by Nathan Parker on Mar 10, 2007

Life Examples: Jacob: Wrestling with God (Gen. 32:24-32) The story of Jacob alternately comforts and confounds. For while we could look upon many of his decisions with contempt-and even wonder why God would so favor such a man-it equally reassures us to realize that the God who extended grace to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:24-32

Denomination: Baptist

We Should Be Like Little Johnny. After Church, ...  PRO

Contributed by Rich Young on Jan 17, 2001

We should be like little Johnny. After church, Johnny tells his parents he has to go and talk to the minister right away. They agree and the pastor greets the family. "Pastor," Johnny says, "I heard you say today that our bodies came from the dust & when we die our bodies go back to dust.” "Yes, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19

Tags: Death, Death Nearness, Dust, Adam, Creation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remember Rachel Scott Who Was Killed After She ...  PRO

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Mar 11, 2001

Remember Rachel Scott who was killed after she said she was a Christian. Her parents have traveled across America sharing the message of Christ to others. Her dad said, “It is not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:17-19, Genesis 19:12-29

Tags: Parable General, Sin General

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Story Is Told Of A Father Of 5 Who Came Home ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 15, 2001

THE STORY IS TOLD OF A FATHER OF 5 WHO CAME HOME WITH A TOY, HE SUMMONED HIS CHILDREN AND ASKED WHICH ONE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE PRESENT. "WHO IS THE MOST OBEDIENT, NEVER TALKS BACK TO MOM AND DOES EVERY THING HE OR SHE IS TOLD TO DO?" HE ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:9-10, Genesis 5:3-16

Tags: Father's Day, Father, Faith, Doing God's Will, Obedient, Respect, Present  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Once Heard The Story About A Wealthy Man Who ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jan 7, 2004

I once heard the story about a wealthy man who had no need for pocket change, yet he still took the time to bend over and pick up lost pennies and other coins. Whenever the man found a coin he would stop look at it in his hand, then after standing quietly for a moment, he would then put the coin ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13, Genesis 3:1-13

Tags: Money

Denomination: Assembly Of God

True Biblical Worship So Satisfies Our Total ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 7, 2004

True biblical worship so satisfies our total personality that we don’t have to shop around for man-made substitutes. William Temple made this clear in his masterful definition of worship: For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9, Genesis 12:1-3

Tags: Worship Definition

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Excuses, Excuses

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 24, 2011

EXCUSES, EXCUSES We live in a word of excuses. Here are some complied by the Readers Digest that have been offered for not showing up for work: "I dreamed I was fired, so I didn't want to get out of bed." "I was up all night arguing with God." "A raccoon stole my work shoe off my porch." "I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12, Genesis 3:7-17

Tags: Faults

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sweet Surrender  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 17, 2014

Abraham laid down his Isaac. Lay down your Isaac today and remember the words of Andrew Murray: God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him. Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: "For many years I worked in New ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18, Genesis 22:8

Tags: Surrender, Consecration, Testing Faith, Abraham And Isaac

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cod And The Cat Fish

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 9, 2022

TELL THE STORY OF THE COD… There was a favorite fish along the east coast. It is the COD. The cod was so tasty and it was a favorite dish along the coast. So the market expanded but something was lost in the shipping. The frozen cod was mushy and tasteless. So they began shipping the cod alive in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:5, Genesis 41:41

Tags: Enemy, Forgive

Denomination: Assembly Of God

5 Weeks Or Five Years?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 9, 2022

5 WEEKS OR FIVE YEARS? IN THE FAR EAST THERE IS THE CHINESE BAMBOO TREE? The farmer has to plant a seed in soft ground, water and nurture the ground every day for five years. The farmer can’t see anything. The neighbors might say: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? How long have you been working the ground? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:5, Genesis 14:14

Tags: Wait, Patience, Time

Denomination: Assembly Of God