In Sermon Illustrations: "Gods Plan"

Making An Impact Through Genuine Giving

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH GENUINE GIVING I received this e-mail from my best friend who pastors in Oklahoma. He received it from a member of his congregation. Andrew, I just wanted to let you know how excited I am about the changes in Christmas plans. I would love to be at the pampering night for ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Looking For Something

Contributed by Michael Parks on Mar 30, 2016

Looking for Something? Mat 6:33 When we need answers to life’s questions where do we look? There certainly isn’t any shortage of information on the internet these days. You can find almost any answer to any question or help with whatever you are struggling with. But, is it the right answer? This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Tags: Searching, Searching For Jesus, Easter Egg Hunt, Looking For Answers

Denomination: Baptist

In The 1971 Film Willy Wonka And The Chocolat...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 25, 2016

In the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, chocolateer Willy Wonka (played by Gene Wilder) launches a worldwide frenzy when he inserts five golden tickets into his famous Wonka Bars. Each ticket gives the owner a chance to tour the chocolate factory and win a lifetime’s supply of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Tags: Childlike Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Minister And A Day Off His Rocker

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 5, 2019

I was tootling along one day last week, quite focused on getting my business for the day done. In fact, I was feeling good about the progress I was making with my “to-do list.” Nothing is more satisfying to me than the sense of being in control of my schedule. I love checking off items on my “to-do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Faith, Love, Trust, Hope, Surrender  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Who’s The Clown Now?

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 5, 2022

As a young person, I was fascinated with clowns. My first encounter was at a circus I attended with my family. The main character in the circus was the clown. When I first saw those clowns, I was scared almost to death. I've never seen anything as scary as those circus clowns. That began my ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Humor, Clowns, Circus

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Feel Sorry For My Good-Looking Friends

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 3, 2023

The one place in our humble residence I would prefer to avoid, especially in the morning, is my bathroom. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has her bathroom, and I have mine. I make visiting my bathroom in the morning as quick as possible. As I walk into my bathroom, on the right side is that ...read more

Scripture: Job 16:8, Ephesians 5:27

Tags: Pride, Wrinkles

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

As If I Really Could

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 24, 2023

Have you ever had the feeling that you've been hoodwinked? You can't point out the specifics, but something deep inside suggests you have been. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I had a wonderful vacation at St. Augustine, one of our favorite places to go. Something happened ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Fixing, Hoodwink

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Dna And Stained Glass

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 2, 2021

Dr. Francis Collins’s credentials are impeccable: he is a physical chemist, a medical geneticist, and the former head of the Human Genome Project. He is also, by his own account, living proof that there is no conflict between science and religion.” “In 2006, he published ‘The Language of God,’ in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27

Tags: Creation, Dna

Denomination: Brethren

A History Of Thanksgiving ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

A HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING DAY In 1604 King James came to power in England. We hear his name often, as the most trusted version of the English Bible was translated during his reign – the King James Version. He was relatively tolerant of other religious opinions, except those that openly criticized ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Trouble? Joe Was Trouble...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 25, 2023

TROUBLE? JOE WAS TROUBLE! SOMEONE IS HURTING! I had taught school in Virginia several years. I was assistant principal. I often observed the kids in the younger classes and thought someday I will teach that child. There was a young boy named Joe. Joe was in the office pretty often in some kind ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:8, Mark 12:29

Tags: Help, Trouble, Ministry

Denomination: Assembly Of God

My Mother And My ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 12, 2009

MY MOTHER AND MY FRIENDS (Excerpted from Simple Treasures - Garnet Hunt White. Stories for a Woman’s Heart, p. 187.) The Prov. 31 woman has grateful children – “Her children stand and bless her” (Prov. 31:28 NLT). Mother accepted my friends as they were, and they loved her for it. They liked the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:1-31

Tags: Mother's Day

Not My Job  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

NOT MY JOB The names in this story have been changed out of respect for their privacy. Julie W told her family's story in a magazine article. [My daughter], Allison, came home for the weekend. She opened the door, didn't speak, and dropped her duffel bag. Smudges of mascara circled her eyes. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 15:20, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Tags: Addiction

During Cyrus Mccormick's Boyhood, Farmers Faced ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 7, 2003

During Cyrus McCormick’s boyhood, farmers faced the unwieldy task of harvesting increasingly larger crops of grain. McCormick inherited his father’s dream to perfect a mechanical reaping machine. When he did (assisted by a slave named Jo Anderson), Cyrus McCormick made history. In 1847 McCormick ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Strike First, Strike Fast, Strike Hard

Contributed by Jeffrey Kellum on May 8, 2003

strike first, strike fast, strike hard - Illustration: For years many Karate schools taught this philosophy. In competition these opponents are the easiest to read. They become proficient at initiating a number of specific combinations that lead to quick victories. But there are inherent ...read more

Tags: Hope, Christian Disciplines, Conflict, Wisdom, Struggles, Victory  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

It's Sunday. Sundays Are Always Busy Days For Me. ...

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 12, 2004

It’s Sunday. Sundays are always busy days for me. Sundays are always early days for me. Today promised to be no exception. With a full slate of activities planned, I got up early and drove to church. There was not much traffic at 6:00 A.M. I had the roads to myself. The orange of dawn had yet to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, James 1:3

Tags: Character, Peace

Denomination: Independent/Bible

This Man Was A Farmer, His Neighbors Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Aug 13, 2006

This man was a farmer, his neighbors were farmers, and everyone in the area considered him to be the biggest pessimist in the world. His closest neighbor did all he could to encourage him every time they spoke, leaning over a fence that divided their properties on one side. “Look’s like the sun’s ...read more

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Me Suggest To You That No One – No One Has ...

Contributed by Daniel Owens on Jan 6, 2008

Let me suggest to you that no one – no one has ever encountered more change than… Soviet cosmonaut Sergay Kreckaleff … He held the record for travel in space for a long, long time. Then he was launched into space again back in April of 1991 for what was to be a 4-month journey around the earth. I ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Just Another Offering

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 12, 2009

NOT JUST ANOTHER OFFERING I had been praying regularly with the deacons for one of our members. His wife, Pat, attended our small congregation faithfully, but John hadn’t been to church in years. So every Sunday afternoon before the evening service, we prayed for ways to communicate our commitment ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

How You Finish

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Feb 23, 2009

HOW YOU FINISH James was excited as he turned the two hundred mark heading towards home. Two and three-quarter laps had gone and he was still in the lead. His one and only goal was to win this race and he was full of confidence that he could do it. His thoughts race ahead to the podium, the ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Adventist

Give-Away Christmas  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2009

GIVE-AWAY CHRISTMAS Richard Myers tells the story of being a reservist and being called back to active duty in Fort Monmouth, NJ, canceling his Christmas plans with his family in IN. Feeling low, he turned on the radio and heard an appeal from the Post Office for volunteers to answer letters sent ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Tags: Christmas