In Sermon Illustrations: "God Our Righteousness"

Unsung Heroes-Those Who Made Copies Of The Scriptures

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 30, 2021

Introduction: sometimes we forget, or take for granted, the easy availability of God’s Word. Retail stores (not just Christian bookstores) sometimes have copies of the whole Bible for a dollar per copy! Secondhand or thrift stores occasionally have donated Bibles and other portions for a very ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:1-2

Tags: Jeremiah, Word Of God, Scribes, Baruch, Daniel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Understanding The Parables

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2022

KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE PARABLES Parables provide insight into the nature, coming, growth and of the Kingdom of God. Parables are by design intended to be surprising. They often sneak up on us. Parables are used to simulate thinking and cause the hearer to carefully contemplate what they ...read more

Tags: Teaching, Truth, Preaching, Parables, Kingdom Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Pearl

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2022

Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of his own. But one day, while he was away on business, he spotted a beautiful pearl in a Jeweler's window. It was a pearl such as he had never seen, perfect in shape, size, and color. He thought to himself, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Sacrifice, Commitment, Discipleship, Kingdom Of God, Decisions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pearl Tree Parable

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 24, 2023

The kingdom of God is like a seed which a woman planted in her garden, and when the time came for the harvest, the tree branches were groaning under the weight of hundreds of large and beautiful pearls which rained down upon everyone who had taken shelter there, and they all became rich beyond ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Tags: Fruit, Kingdom Of God, Reward, Hidden Future

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Belt Of Truth

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 9, 2023

I need Jesus. I need Him because He is the truth! I need Him because without Him I am weak and unable to fight the battles that constantly throw lies my way. I need to be prepared for the battle by having the armor of God. I need the belt of truth. Rick Burdette, minister with Cornerstone ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14

Tags: Armor Of God, Belt Of Truth, Jesus Is Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[019] A Message From A Poem - An Atheist’s Lament

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 22, 2024

[019] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AN ATHEIST’S LAMENT I do not know how many nations know what the 1st of April is. In western society it is known as April Fools’ Day and is a time when some play tricks on others. The Day is also known as “All Fools’ Day.” The following is taken from The Editors ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1-2, Ecclesiastes 2:14

Tags: April Fools Day, Fools, Atheists, There Is No God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Use The Old Golf Ball!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 8, 2024

As the golfer approached the first tee, a hazardous hole with a green surrounded by water, he debated if he should use his new golf ball. Deciding that the hole was too treacherous, he pulled out an old ball and placed it on the tee. Just then he heard a voice from above say loudly: "Use the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Lord's Prayer, Will Of God, Golf, Thy Will Be Done

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come As You Are

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Nov 21, 2024

A friend of mine in Louisiana had his 11 year old nephew for the weekend just after the uncle had had a close call with death and gotten released from the hospital. On Sunday morning, his nephew approached him. “Come on, Uncle, let’s go to church!” “But Dom, you don’t have any church clothes ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 11:27, Romans 5:8

Tags: Come As You Are, God Loves All People

Denomination: Charismatic

One Solitary Life

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

I’d like to read you a little piece written by an unknown author called One Solitary Life He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village, where he worked in a carpenter’s shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: Son Of God, One Solitary Life, Jesus

Denomination: Anglican

Check The $100 Bill

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 4, 2026

Folks who work in banks are taught to recognize counterfeit $100 bills. Do you know how? Do you think they have to learn every trick of every forger? Nope. They study and learn the real thing. That way, the forgeries will be obvious. That’s what we need to do. You ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Truth, False Teaching, God's Word, Lie

Denomination: Methodist

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

Standing Where The Fire Has Already Been!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 26, 2023

“Many years ago, a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire, and they realized that it would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: they would quickly begin a fire right where they were and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9

Tags: Reconciliation, Assurance, Blood Of Jesus, Roman Road, Wrath Of God, Holiness Of God, Forgiveness, Satan, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness "The Sermon on the Mount" explains the true intent of the law which cancels the natural responses of man and calls for supernatural behavior. Righteousness is an attribute of God. Jesus gives Christians a glorious hope and reward that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Background On The Oldest Psalm - Psalm 90

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 27, 2025

John Phillips gave us this helpful background information: "Next to the book of Job, Psalm 90 is most likely the oldest piece of writing in the Bible. This psalm was written by Moses in the wilderness on the way from Egypt to Canaan. So, Psalm 90 stands in grand isolation as the oldest psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Tags: Children, Moses, Resurrection, Prayer, Fearing The Lord, Brevity Of Life, God's Forgiveness, Sins, Jesus' Death, Answered Prayer, Prayer Requests, Trusting God, Passover, Eternal Life, Reverence, God's Mercy, Lamb Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I'm Only A Mirror Fragment  PRO

Contributed by Matt Black on Oct 26, 2002

I’M ONLY A MIRROR FRAGMENT I want to share with you a story about a very interesting well-educated Greek philosopher whose name is Dr. Alexander Popaderos. And Dr. Popaderos every summer on the island of Crete taught a class on ethics for two weeks. And this particular summer just as he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Tags: Character, Evangelism, Fulfillment, God Brings Purpose, Reflect  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Symbols Of The Bible In Scripture

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

The Bible identifies itself through several clear metaphors and similes. These symbols serve the purpose of helping us understand what the Bible is and what it can do in our lives. Let’s examine of a few of those symbols today. 1. A Mirror - James 1:23-25 - As a mirror the Word of God perfectly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Word Of God, Sword Of The Spirit, Symbols  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was A Certain Old Recluse Who Lived Deep In ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 22, 2001

There was a certain old recluse who lived deep in the mountains of Colorado. When he died, distant relatives came from the city to collect his valuables. Upon arriving, all they saw was an old shack with an outhouse beside it. Inside the shack, next to the rock fireplace, was an old cooking pot and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18-20, Luke 2:41-52, Luke 16:1-13, Luke 16:19-31, John 17:3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth In Christ, God The Father, Shrew, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Computers

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 21, 2020

Three ways our choice to follow God is like a computer (phone/electric device) 1. We need to stay plugged in to keep our batteries charged. (prayer, scripture, worship all charge our batteries) 2. We need to keep our Virus Protection up-to-date. (Sin is as prevalent as viruses on the internet. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 2 Timothy 1:12

Tags: Computers, Virus, Connected, Phones, Charged, Virus Protection, In God's Hands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[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

Love Is Face To Face

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 6, 2012

LOVE IS FACE-TO-FACE By Erwin Raphael McManus in SOUL CRAVINGS – PREQUEL, pp. 28ff: "I once met a girl named Kim, and I fell in love. I pursued her with my love and pursed her with my love until I felt my love had captured her heart. So I asked her to be my wife, and she said no." I could feel ...read more

Tags: God's Love, Galilee, Feeding 5000, Five Thousand

Denomination: Independent/Bible