In Sermon Illustrations: "Give Thanks"

[199]. A Message From A Poem – On Stony Shores

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 13, 2025

[199]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ON STONY SHORES This is a short poem and I do not wish to add to it. I live close to the beach and the rainforest. Some beaches in the tropics here have a lot of smooth rocks on them, basalt in origin from past volcanic activity. In the tropical rainforest you ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 1:3

Tags: Planted By The Water, Rocky, Streams Of Water, Christian Poems, Tropical Rainforest, Stony, Waters Of Life, Stream, Refreshment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Moved Christian Across Pond To Save Him From Drowning

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 25, 2025

God Moved Christian across Pond to Save Him from Drowning One of my favorite miracle stories is from Jan Ramsey. My wife Mary used to work at Lakeshore School with Jan. She was a member of First Baptist in Swartz. Jan gave this prayer testimony about her dad, James, and I think he was 81 at the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Solomon's Temple, Mother's Womb, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, King David, Fearfully Made, Wonderfully Made, Nathan The Prophet, Creation, Light, Darkness, Presence, Omniscience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

He Could Have Turned Around  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2001

He could have turned around A 20-year-old man was arrested by the Omaha Police on the “suspicion of robbery and giving police false information,” which was one of many wrong turns for this young man. His first wrong turn was the desire to make some quick, easy money for whatever reason. His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:14, Proverbs 29:6

Tags: Sin Wages Of, Sin Deceptive, Repentance

Bill Hybels And Soccer Coach (Across The Room ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 22, 2007

Bill Hybels and Soccer Coach (Across the Room p30) Bill tells about his sons soccer coach (Brian). One day he felt prompted to leave the sideline and go introduce himself and help put the balls and equiptment away. He wasn’t thrilled to find out Bill was a pastor. After several months of ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

All God Has: A Testimony  PRO

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 30, 2014

The day I turned 18, I left home. I had saved some money, and despite my parents' strong objections, I packed a few things in my Volkswagen and headed for California. Just outside of Needles, California, a man at a rest stop pulled a gun, took my wallet, and drove off with my car. I had not been in ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-3

Tags: God The Father, Fathers Day, Knowing God

Denomination: Baptist

Bitter And Resentful

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

"Bitterness is like taking poison, and waiting for the other person to die." - Malachy McCourt I once knew a woman whose heart had been broken by disappointing relationships. She became very sarcastic towards the opposite sex and could often be overheard making disparaging remarks about ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31

Tags: Resentment, Bitterness, Bitter Root

Denomination: Charismatic

The Little ...

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

The Little Fireman In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination to HANG ON. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill ...read more

Tags: Opportunity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Look At Outer Darkness

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 29, 2023

Introduction: Jesus spoke of “outer darkness” at least three times. There were a couple of times when I experienced something like this, and it wasn’t pleasant! No one needs to face outer darkness, so don’t let it happen to you. Text: Matthew 8:10-12, KJV: 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:10-12

Tags: Light, Outer Darkness, Fear

Denomination: Baptist

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

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062B]. 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 SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND PART THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE POEM IS IN PART 1. PART 2 SECTION B - PART 1 (THE CHRISTIAN ...read more

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

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[221]. A Message From A Poem - Follow Me – I’ll Do The Rest

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 5, 2025

[221]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - FOLLOW ME – I’LL DO THE REST Some of us find it hard to follow. We like to give orders and tell people what to do. However to be subservient and obey, and follow, is irksome to some of us. Early in Jesus’ ministry He walked by the sea and we have this – {{Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-18, Mark 8:34-35, Psalm 23:2-3

Tags: Let Go, Leading, Obedience, Shepherd, Follow, Control, Rest, Let God, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Easter Parable: Edith Easter  PRO

Contributed by Harvie Neatherlin on Jun 17, 2003

AN EASTER PARABLE: EDITH EASTER Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-7

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Easter Resurrection, Cross, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Of Edith Burns  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 22, 2008

THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Pentecostal

[175]. A Message From A Poem – Bema – The Judgement Seat Of Christ

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 22, 2025

[175]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEMA – THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST What do Christians think of the judgement that is coming for Christians that is outlined in these very telling verses? – {{1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 John 2:28, Revelation 4:10-11, Matthew 10:42, Revelation 22:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Reward, Cup Of Cold Water, Bema, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Judged, Judgment, Shame, Penalty, Judge, Rewards, Ashamed, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tim (The Rock) Raines Returns To The Montreal ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 17, 2001

Tim (The Rock) Raines returns to the Montreal Expos at age 41 Apr. 13, 2001. From THESTAR.COM MONTREAL (CP) - Tim Raines wasn’t prepared for the deafening cheers from the usually quiet crowd when he stepped to the plate in his first game back in Montreal. For Raines, it was like being in the ...read more

Tags: Season, Miracles Of Jesus, Easter Resurrection

Tim (The Rock) Raines Returns To The Montreal ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 23, 2001

Tim (The Rock) Raines returns to the Montreal Expos at age 41 Apr. 13, 2001 writes the TheStar.Com. MONTREAL (CP) - Tim Raines wasn’t prepared for the deafening cheers from the usually quiet crowd when he stepped to the plate in his first game back in Montreal. For Raines, it was like being in the ...read more

Tags: Gifts Healing, God In The Hardships, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Confusing Directive Was Recently Issued By A ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 24, 2001

A confusing directive was recently issued by a British Admiral. It read: “It is necessary for technical reasons, that these warheads be stored bottom-side-up, that is, with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. That there be no doubt which is the bottom, and which is the top, each ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, God's Omniscience, Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran

Claude And Amanda Tackett Were A Typical Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Cassara on Sep 8, 2001

Claude and Amanda Tackett were a typical young mid-western couple, living in Louisville KY. They were members of the Southeast Christian Church. Claude had recently completed law school and was doing well in his first job as a lawyer. In January of this year, Amanda gave birth to their first ...read more

Tags: Disappointment, God In The Hardships, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is A True Story, About A German Artist Named ...  PRO

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

This is a true story, about a German artist named Albrecht Durer and one of his famous drawings, "The Praying Hands." Durer’s Father was a goldsmith and apprenticed him in his early years to learn the family trade, but Durer loved painting and really wanted to be a painter. So his father ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Christian Love, Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Anglican

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