In Sermon Illustrations: "God As Owner"

Rescued Twice

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 23, 2022

A wealthy English family once invited friends to spend some time at their beautiful estate. The happy gathering was almost plunged into a terrible tragedy on the first day. When the children went swimming, one of them got into deep water and was drowning. Fortunately, the gardener heard the others ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 1:4

Tags: Salvation, Miracle, Sovereignty Of God, Rescued

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Outline Of Joseph's Life

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2022

The story of Joseph’s life can be outlined by several key events in Genesis:   1. REJECTION (37:1-36) – Jacob selected Joseph as the favored son and he was despised by his brothers. They threw him into a pit and left him for dead.   2. REFINEMENT (38:1 – 40:23) – Traders came by and ...read more

Tags: Faith, Temptation, Rejection, Joseph, Will Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be A Christian But Don't Act Like One!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2022

I love the story of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Satan, Discipleship, Kingdom Of God, Hypocrites

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Only A General, But He's A Son!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 30, 2022

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. grew up under the shadow of a large man. His father was the hero of San Juan Hill and the President of the United States. The pressure to excel often caused him problems, but Teddy, Jr. went on to be a highly decorated Brigadier General during World War II, receiving the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Tags: Children Of God, Authority, Sons, Mothers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Polimetla Joy on Jan 30, 2023

In this parable, Jesus teaches about the importance of having a receptive heart to receive the word of God. He explains how the seed (word of God) can fall on different types of soil, representing different hearts. Some seed falls on the wayside, representing those who hear the word and do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Luke 8:4-8

Tags: Scripture, Word Of God, Hearing, Responding

They Will Know What Jesus Looks Like Now

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

Maybe you have heard the story of a young boy who was given an assignment in his elementary art class. He was asked to draw a picture of something that was priceless to him. He thought about all things he valued and then the idea came to him as to what was most important and valuable. Throughout ...read more

Scripture: John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Mark 16:15

Tags: Image Of God, Share Your Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Hound Of Heaven

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

In his book The Call, author Os Guinness writes: We cannot find God without God. We cannot reach God without God. We cannot satisfy God without God—which is another way of saying that our seeking will always fall short unless God’s grace initiates the search and unless God’s call draws us to Him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-9, Titus 3:5

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Works, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Apathy

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 4, 2023

Is feeling nothing the inevitable result of believing in nothing? And then I got to feeling frightened—thinking that there might not actually be anything to believe in, in particular. I thought it would be such a sick joke to have to remain alive ...read more

Scripture: John 20:31

Tags: Truth, Skeptics, Faith, Doubt, God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love: Needing Or Giving

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

“The typical example of Gift-love would be that love which moves a man to work and plan and save for the future well-being of his family which he may die without sharing or seeing; the second, Need-love, is that which sends a lonely and frightened child to its mother’s arms. And of course Divine ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-31, Luke 10:27, 1 John 4:7-8, Matthew 22:36-39

Tags: Love, Love Of God, Love Of Neighbor

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Of Herods And Kings

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 4, 2024

"Every Herod dies and comes alone to stand before the Lamb upon the Throne." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-20, Revelation 5:1-8

Tags: Power, Politics, Sovereignty, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Verbal Plenary Inspiration

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 15, 2026

Can we trust God’s Word as the truth? Can it be a light into the darkness we face? I want to briefly explain, again, what I believe about how we got the Bible. This is referred to as “Verbal Plenary Inspiration.” I believe the words of Holy Scripture were given to the men who wrote the original ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19-21, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Hope, Inspired Word Of God

Denomination: Methodist

Benediction

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 3, 2026

May you know the warmth of God’s loving embrace May you know the joy of God’s ever-presence May you know the peace of God’s gentle whisper May you know the strength of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:20

Tags: God's Presence, Peace, Joy, Strength

Denomination: Methodist

Standing Up For Truth

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 4, 2026

Both these letters make it clear who is a danger to the house churches. They paint a picture of men whose words and actions need to be challenged and condemned. Do you think it was as hard for them back then as it is for us today? I had a friend who visited a church and attended Sunday School. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-3, Jude 1:4

Tags: Truth, God's Word, Sunday School

Denomination: Methodist

A Young Boy Was Observed By A Minister In Church ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 25, 2002

A young boy was observed by a minister in church praying very fervently; but much to the preacher’s surprise, he was also heard to say from time to time: "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." So preacher approached the boy after he had apparently finished his prayer and said, "Son, I was very pleased to see you ...read more

Scripture: John 14:12-14

Tags: God's Provision, God The Father, Children, Desperation, Prayer, Prayer How To, Prayer General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Adoption: We Want This Child!

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 11, 2018

A young couple visited a boarding care home which housed children for adoption. The care taker brought out all the children who were clean (recently bathed), well dressed, properly schooled in manners; for this couple’s inspection and selection. As they passed down the line and spoke to each child, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:4-7, 1 Peter 1:3-5

Tags: Blessings Of God, Adoption, Eternal Life, Children Of God, Heirs In Christ, Love And Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Because He Loved Them

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 14, 2023

Because He Loved Them They tried to shame Him. They tried to destroy Him. They tried to ruin Him. He died for them! They despised Him. They mocked Him. They humiliated Him. He died for them! They stripped Him. They spat in His face. They beat Him. He died for them! They made Him bear the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 10:9-10

Tags: Easter, Crucifixion, Salvation, Redemption, God's Love, Greater Love, Poems Of God's Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stay Plugged In

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Jan 24, 2023

A friend of mine emailed me something so true about staying connected ... When God made trees he spoke to the earth. When God made fish he spoke to the water. When God made man he said let us make man in our image. He breathed life from Him into us. These three things are alive. however they ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Tags: Connected To God, Where We Draw Power, Our Connection To God, We Can't Live Without God, If We Disconnect  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

[179]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Coin

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 27, 2025

[179]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE COIN In this trilogy of poems we are looking at three objects lost – a sheep, a coin and a son. All three were loved and precious and the owners knew stress at the lost. When each was found it resulted in great rejoicing. These three ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:8, Genesis 6:6, Luke 15:8-10

Tags: Lost And Found, Rejoicing, Heart Of God, The Heart Of God, Grieved, Christian Poems, Parable, Lost, Lost Coin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young Girl Grows Up On A Cherry Orchard Just ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. "I hate you!" she screams at her father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Tags: God's Love, God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Welcome Home, Parable Prodigal Son, New Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Wasn't Supposed To Live...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 13, 2024

I believe that God called me to preach in the summer of my freshman year in high school. He gave me a dream about one of my best friends who was somewhere in eternity screaming in pain: He was crying out to me, "You never told me. You never told me! Larry, you talked to me about baseball. ...read more

Tags: Pastors, God's Call, Miracle, Fathers, Preachers, Death, Healing, Prayer, Purpose, God's Will, Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational