In Sermon Illustrations: "Growth In Christ"

Beginning Again  PRO

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 29, 2016

BEGINNING AGAIN The opening lines of a poem by Louisa Fletcher express this plaintive wish: I wish that there were some wonderful place Called the "Land of Beginning Again," Where all our mistakes, and all our heartaches, And all of our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3-8

Tags: Resolution, Born Again, New Year, New Start

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ashamed When It Counted The Most

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 18, 2019

Ashamed when it counted the most My two sisters, when they were somewhat younger, liked to play the piano and took lessons for some time. I like music, too, but not all the practicing that went along with it! We found out there was going to be a “recital” where all of the students in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 John 2:28

Tags: Christian Life, Shame, Rewards

Denomination: Baptist

Drugs Are No Game

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 7, 2020

You’ve probably heard and seen it all when it comes to warnings about “don’t do drugs,” and so forth. Frankly, I’ve seen and heard a lot of them, and I’m sure glad someone told me about the dangers of drugs and drug abuse. Someone took a lot of time to get the information out and thanks to those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Drugs, Temptations, Drug Abuse

Denomination: Baptist

The Baby's Smile

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Dec 28, 2022

The Baby’s Smile “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21 We are in the last few days of the year. Most of our thoughts on Christmas is that it is ...read more

Scripture: John 16:21

Tags: Smile, Hope, Cross, Baby Jesus, After Christmas, Cradle To The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Ways To Win The Battle With Lust

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 9, 2024

Four practical ways to overcome temptation: (1) Study and know yourself. Know where you’re vulnerable and devise strategies to protect yourself. Others may be able to handle situations where you will fall. Don’t go with them if it is a source of temptation for you. Develop a deep distrust in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Adultery, Sexuality, Eyes, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Desire, Holiness, Look, Pornography, Lust, Deception  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[104]. A Message From A Poem – God’s Attributes

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

[104]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD’S ATTRIBUTES Some people dispute the term Attributes of God. They say it can only be applied to statements such as God IS love. Others look at it in a wider sense taking in the qualities of the Godhead. In this poem, I took 4 words to make 4 stanzas ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Peace, Compassion, Holiness, Character Of God, Attributes Of God, Grace, Love, Mercy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daily Warrior's Prayer

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 29, 2025

DAILY WARRIOR’S PRAYER HEAVENLY FATHER, I praise and worship you because YOU are GOD. I am honored to be YOUR servant and I take my stand today against the devil and his schemes against me, my family, and my ministry. FATHER, as I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Tags: Armor Of God, Warrior's Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[168]. A Message From A Poem – Leave The Future With Your God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 18, 2025

[168]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LEAVE THE FUTURE WITH YOUR GOD I think it is true to say that we all run around making plans and trying to resolve problems in the ordering of our lives. We are creatures of this earth, though we are citizens of heaven. (Philippians 3:20). Things in this life ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:11, 2 Timothy 3:13, Matthew 6:34, Matthew 6:31, Matthew 6:25, Philippians 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Do Not Worry, Christian Poems, Future, Anxiety, Worry, Wait On The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[194]. A Message From A Poem– No Other Is So Worthy

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 9, 2025

[194]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM– NO OTHER IS SO WORTHY This is a worship and praise poem. When we ascribe majesty to Jesus we are worshipping Him. I have tried to do that because He is INDEED worthy of our feeble praise. When we are in heaven one day as part of the whole redeemed Church, our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 99:9, Psalm 95:6, Psalm 29:1-2, Revelation 5:9

Tags: Jesus Is Worthy, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Worship, Praise  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[217]. A Message From A Poem - Placed In Perilous Times

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2025

[217]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PLACED IN PERILOUS TIMES Placed in perilous times spells the conditions that often apply to Christians in all ages. The believers in Roman times could very well know that. The Huguenots certainly knew that when hunted down by incited mobs from the French Catholic ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:26-27, 2 Timothy 3:1

Tags: A Sure Foundation, Christian Poems, Scriptures Are God Breathed, Persecution, Christianity, Danger, Peril, Unfeigned, A Crown Of Righteousness, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[296]. A Message From A Poem – The Winds That Blow

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 26, 2026

[296]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE WINDS THAT BLOW This poem needs thought, and your understanding of it might be different from mine as I wrote it. The poem is a comparison or even a contrast. The first half is based on nature and the original Edenic calmness and the second half takes up what ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:37-39

Tags: Strong Winds, Sin, Calm, Turmoil, Winds, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[300]. A Poem Message - There Is One Who Sticks Closer Than A Brother

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 27, 2026

[300]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THERE IS ONE WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER The disciples walked with Jesus for more than three years and they knew His faithfulness over all that time. The Lord will never desert one of His own. In the storm, He is in the boat. In the death of a very close ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:8, Genesis 15:18, 2 Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23, Proverbs 18:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Friend, Friendship, Friend Of God, Christian Poems, Closer Than A Brother, Jesus, Abraham  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Healed But Not Cured!" Hebrews 12: 5-12: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 26, 2004

“Healed But Not Cured!” Hebrews 12: 5-12: Key verse(s): 6 “...because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Sickness! There isn’t a life that hasn’t been touched by it. And, when we count our blessings at the end of the day, we aren’t likely to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-12

Tags: Poverty, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Lutheran

No Rusty Promises In Heaven!" Leviticus 26: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 20, 2005

“No Rusty Promises in Heaven!” Leviticus 26: 40-45 Key verse(s): 45:“But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.” If you are interested in learning about hope, take a walk sometime ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:40-45

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Lutheran

Just How Bad Is It Out There? And What Really ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Feb 26, 2008

Just how bad is it out there? And what really are we up against? Well, let me share with you some of the information I gleaned from 17 pages of fairly up to date statistics. [SLIDE 4] I learned first of all that sex is the #1 topic searched on the internet. Now I wasn’t really surprised to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kay Arthur Has Become A Well-Known ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 14, 2001

ILL. Kay Arthur has become a well-known Christian author & speaker who has influenced tens of thousands for Jesus. Her testimony is written in her book, "Lord, I Need Your Grace Because I Can’t Make It On My Own." In it she talks about her life & her struggles in coming to Christ. As a young ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Tags: Government

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Thinking Vs. God's Promises  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 8, 2001

16. Our Thinking vs. God’s Promises. a. We say- It’s impossible. God says- All things are possible with Me. b. We- I can’t do it. God- You can do all things through Christ. c. We- I’m too tired. God- Come to Me, I will give you rest. d. We- I’m always worried and frustrated. God- Cast all your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 8:1-6, Genesis 35:1-21

Tags: God The Father, Promise, Descriptions Of God

We Are To Work While We Wait. A Gardener For A ...  PRO

Contributed by E. Lee James on Oct 19, 2001

We are to work while we wait. A gardener for a large estate in northern Italy was conducting a visitor through the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed grounds. As the visitor had lunch with the gardener and his wife, he commended them for the beautiful way they were keeping the gardens. He ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Baptist

Savage Ways  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 5, 2001

There is the story about a man who visited the Fiji islands. This visitor was skeptical of missionaries. He even spoke with the chief and told him that the missionaries only wanted to get rich from them. The visitor said that nobody believed what the Bible had to say nowadays. He even went as ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Evangelism Fear Of, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: United Methodist

Americans First  PRO

Contributed by B. D. B Moses on Mar 21, 2002

AMERICANS FIRST During the time of the Iranian Hostage Crisis, Greg Livingstone was asked to give a "missions minute" at a large evangelical church on the East Coast. Since he had only one minute to speak, he decided to ask them only two questions. The first one was, "How many of you are praying ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Tags: World Religions, What Is Evangelism?, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist