In Sermon Illustrations: "Gods Direction"

Orphans

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

Rubel Shelly tells of his friends Rich and Patty White, who traveled to a 3rd world country to adopt a little girl named Olona. After 2 years of effort and paperwork, the Whites stood before a judge who read words from an official document: “Inasmuch as Olona Morgan is orphaned and unwanted by ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18

Tags: Chosen By God, Orphan, Unwanted

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Charles Colson Tells The Story Of Being On Th...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Charles Colson tells the story of being on the Bill Buckley television program, talking about criminal justice reform. A few days later he got a call from Jack Eckerd, the founder of the Eckerd Drug chain, the second largest drug chain in America. He saw me on television and asked me to come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-16

Tags: True Repentance, Led By God

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Chris Jeffries tells the story of Roy who was feeling frustrated that he was not able to do what he felt he was born to do. So he prayed for Our Father to change something. Then there was a knock at the door and they met two strangers, a married couple. They invited them in and sat them down at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-8

Tags: Prayer, God's Will, Confidence In Prayer

Denomination: Methodist

It Felt Like Abuse...but, Lesson Learned

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jan 18, 2017

So there I am. I’m sitting on the couch...with my eyes closed...attempting to nap. I hadn’t felt good all day. Because my wife is out of town visiting her elderly parents, our dog, who is lovesick for her, spends his entire day and night in our bedroom, in some doggie blankets, placed on the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:28

Tags: Relationship To God, Great Expectations

Denomination: *other

He Became One Of Us!

Contributed by Chris Stringer on Mar 3, 2018

It was a cold winter morning, as I prepared my coffee and sit at the kitchen table. I kept hearing this sound, as something was hitting the window. I watched as this little bird continually flew back and forth into my kitchen window. I thought to myself, "This poor little guy is going to freeze." ...read more

Tags: Love Of God, Became Flesh

Denomination: *other

The Vine

Contributed by Michael E. Bartee Sr. on Oct 19, 2018

When I was growing up I was one of six children. Our house was very small, only four rooms. And without any of the convieniences most houses had in those days. We did not have a bathroom,running water, or a furnace. There were two boys, about my age, that lived close by. In my mind they were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:15

Tags: Trusting God, Faith In Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saved People Have Two Birthdays!

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 4, 2019

Born Again - John 1:12-13 (Also see John 3:1-16) 12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the (power or authority or) right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: 13. who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13, John 3:1-16

Tags: Born Again, Family Of God

Denomination: Baptist

A Modern Day (Sports) Parable

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 21, 2019

The Parable Of The Free Agent Hockey Players “For the kingdom of heaven is like a rich sports owner who went out at 6 AM on July 1st , free agency day, to find players for his hockey team. At the local Starbucks he found a Superstar player. He said, “I’ll make you a good offer. - $5 million per ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Tags: Grace, Gospel, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Called

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

The Called are those who have been summoned by God. Called to salvation (Rom. 8:30) Called both Jews and Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:24) Called "with a holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9) Called with a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) Called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Pet. 2:9) Called to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:30

Tags: Election, Calling, God's Sovreignty

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Answer To My Prayers

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 5, 2021

I don’t see as many vending machines around as I used to see. The ones I see now, you can pay with your phone or your smart watch. In the old days, all the vending machines had the food on metal coils that would rotate and move the food forward when you make your selection. Sometimes, that item ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13, Luke 4:38-44

Tags: God, Prayer, Vending Machine

Denomination: Methodist

Grace - A Poem By Elicia Roy

Contributed by Elicia Roy on Mar 18, 2021

GRACE What is this thought of undeserved grace? A sinner condemned to a tormenting place. Unable to hope, without a way out, Weeping and gnashing of teeth all about. Separated from love and life, Only surrounded by pain and strife, Nothing I could do to change my state, A sinner condemned to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: The Grace Of God, The Gospel, The Cross

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judgement And Mercy - 2 Sides Of The Same Coin

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 27, 2021

Mercy and Judgement are two sides of the same coin – We often put different parts of God’s character (attributes) into conflict. If we declare God as merciful, can He still bring righteous judgement? Let me share an example to help you understand the connection between mercy and judgment. If you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Mercy, Judgment, Attributes Of God

Denomination: Methodist

When Prayers Are Answered Just The Opposite Of How You Prayed!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Found on the body of a Confederate Soldier during the Civil War: I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Tags: Prayer, Will Of God, Mysteries, Surprises

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Corrie Ten Boom Was A Dutch Christian Who Helped ...  PRO

Contributed by Jay Winters on Dec 30, 2007

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who helped Jews escape from the Nazis during World War II. Throughout her early life she helped hide people from the ugliness that is humanity at its worst. She was arrested and put into one concentration camp after another, one of which being a place named ...read more

Tags: Fear, Forgiveness, God's Love

Denomination: Lutheran

As A Child I Remember Watching A ...

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 20, 2008

ILLUSTRATION: AS a child I remember watching a movie about a little boy who got sprayed by a skunk. His parents nearly scrubbed the skin off him but they could not get rid of the odor. So for a couple of days, he had to sleep in the barn and eat his meals outside the house. He could see his family ...read more

Tags: Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Baptist

I Watched Another Movie Where A ...

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 20, 2008

Illustration: I watched another movie where a teenage delinquent let his life spiral out of control because of drugs and bad friends. It tore his family apart. His parents were on the verge of divorce, his younger brother was experimenting with drugs, his sister had gone from honor role to ...read more

Tags: Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Baptist

My Brother-In-Law Brad Told Me A Story One Time, ...

Contributed by Brian Harvison on May 29, 2008

My brother-in-law Brad told me a story one time, and I just knew I would use it in a sermon one day. He served in the Marines and the Navy and has my greatest respect, and we should always be in prayer for our troops serving right now. Him and his friend were out shooting their new handgun, ...read more

Tags: Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Baptist

Promise?

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 9, 2008

PROMISE? We make a lot of promises to others and many promises are made to us. Sadly, too many promises are broken on both ends of the equation. God, however, never breaks a promise. ………………………………………………………….. Don’t let the broken promises of this world keep you from believing the promises of God. ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Broken Promises

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Weeks Ago I Went To Make Myself A Cup Of ...

Contributed by Amy Bickel on Aug 6, 2008

A few weeks ago I went to make myself a cup of coffee and ended up with one of the strongest cups of coffee I’ve ever had. It was so strong I could only drink about half of it and that was after doctoring it up with sweetener and flavored creamer. The rest I had to dump out. What made my coffee ...read more

Tags: Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Baptist

Blood Gift  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

BLOOD GIFT In 1949, my father had just returned from the war. On every highway you could see soldiers in uniform hitchhiking home to their families. The thrill of the reunion with his family was soon overshadowed by my grandmother’s illness. There was a problem with her kidneys. The doctors told ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2

Tags: Giving General, God In The Hardships