In Sermon Illustrations: "Guarding Your Heart" showing 941-960 of 13,541

For Real Spiritual Victory, Your Will Must Be ...

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Dec 2, 2008

For real spiritual victory, your will must be broken. We are like that horse my son got when he first got out of the army. Ben got a wild mustang that wasn’t must good for anything. You couldn’t ride him. You couldn’t use him to pull a buggy. It was even risky to be around him. He might bite ...read more

Tags: Repentance

Denomination: Holiness

I Give Myself To You To Be Your ...

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Jan 5, 2009

"I give myself to you to be your husband. I promise to love and sustain you in the covenant of marriage, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in ...read more

Tags: Weddings

Denomination: Congregational

God Is Not Concerned With Your Past But He Is ...

Contributed by James Lee on Jan 8, 2009

God is not concerned with your past but He is concerned with your future. It’s not where you’ve been ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Is Dark When You're Not There

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

THE CHURCH IS DARK WHEN YOU’RE NOT THERE In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church. No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

The Truth Is Everyone Of Your Words Matter, They ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 11, 2009

The truth is everyone of your words matter, they influence someone either negatively or positively. How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I would never have said that!” Our text in James today addresses the issue of the uncontrolled words of the tongue. We see this dilemma of words ...read more

Tags: Tongue

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Changing Your Mind About Seatbelts

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Mar 13, 2009

CHANGING YOUR MIND ABOUT SEATBELTS I remember when the seatbelt laws came into effect. People had all kinds of excuses for why they weren’t going to wear one. Some said they felt constrained, and some were afraid they’d have an accident because they thought the strap would somehow stop them from ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

The Willingness Of God To Answer Your Prayer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

"My friend, do you think that God is asleep? Do you feel that He has gone to bed when you pray, and you cannot get Him up? Do you believe that He does not want to answer your prayers? God does want to answer your prayers and He will. That is what this parable is saying. You do not have ...read more

Tags: Prayer, Persistence, Parables, God The Father, God's Love, God's Willingness, Importunity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Throw Away Your Freedom

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 23, 2022

Sitting on top of the United States capitol building is a 20-foot statue known as the “Freedom Lady”. She was sculpted by Italian artists in the city of Rome and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to her perch in Washington DC. During the delivery, the ship carrying the statue encountered a fierce ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-16

Tags: Freedom, America, Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Carrying The World On Your Shoulders?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2023

Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: "For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Cares, Burdens, Faith, Problems, Surrender, Worry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Your Ministry Making Any Difference?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 12, 2023

Sometimes we think that God is not using us if we are not preaching to thousands every weekend. If you think that, remember this story about the value of one soul! I recently read about an old man, walking the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Fruit Of The Spirit, Faithfulness, Success, Spirit Filled Life, Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make Sure Your Ax Is Sharpen

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Feb 16, 2023

When we were young we did not have central heating and air. As a matter of fact I do not remember us having a window unit. What we had was a fireplace in the winter time and a screen door in the summer. I remember that old fire place. If it was real cold we would put a blanket over the door ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:10

Tags: Holy Spirit, Sharpening Your Ax

Denomination: Church Of God

What Is Your Biggest Spiritual Challenge??

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 14, 2023

Discipleship Journal asked its readers to rank the areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them. The results came back in this order: 1. Materialism 2. Pride 3. Self-centeredness 4. Laziness 5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness and Sexual lust 6. Envy 7. Gluttony 8. Lying The respondents also noted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Trials, Spiritual Warfare, Tests, Temptations, Satan, Lust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Your Own Worst Enemy.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

"Cain slew Abel, but Cain’s worst enemy was himself". - R E Neighbour “There is an old Icelandic legend that contains its own lesson. There was a man who was constantly pursued by a terrible spirit which took the form of a dwarf. His grain ricks were fired, his barns unroofed, his ...read more

Tags: Abel, Cain, Blood Of Christ, Enemies, Hate, Offerings, Murder, Self  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Doing Your Duty With A Little Faith

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Sep 16, 2023

Don Gullett was the greatest athlete eastern Kentucky has ever seen. He excelled in all sports. He was so good that he was recruited by the University of Kentucky in all three sports….Basketball, Football, and Baseball. In Basketball he averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds a game; I personally ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:3-12

Tags: Trust, Faith

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Are The Nail Prints In Your Hands?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2023

During the Middle Ages there was a popular story which circulated about Martin of Tours, for whom Martin Luther was named. It was said that Satan once appeared to St Martin in the guise of the Savior himself saying that he was Jesus. Martin was ready to fall to his feet and worship this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Atonement, Blood Of Jesus, Cross, Satan, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Like The Llama And Face Your Enemy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

Reports the DENVER POST: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West, Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Armor, Stand, Temptation, Satan, Running, Lust, Fear, Battles, Defeat, Victory, Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salvation Is Free, But It Will Cost Your Life

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

I am often asked, "How can salvation be free, but, yet, Jesus said that we cannot by His disciple unless we forsake everything for Him?" (Luke 14). Let me explain the answer to this question in a story. Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of ...read more

Tags: Sacrifice, Salvation, Mercy, Discipleship, Free, Eternal Life, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Will You Finish Your Race?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 22, 2024

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. Oddly enough, the winner was not the runner who finished first and fastest. It was the first runner who finished the race with his torch still lit. I am not trying to outrun others. I just want to run all the way to the ...read more

Tags: Faithfulness, Eternity, Endurance, Death, Commitment, Rewards, Time, Judgment, Obedience, Race  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Ever Heard Of The Expression, "Your Name ...

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Aug 24, 2004

Have you ever heard of the expression, “Your name will be mud?” Do you know where it originated? Samuel Alexander Mudd was the doctor who set John Wilkes Booth’s leg after Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln in Ford’s Theater in 1865. Mudd claimed he didn’t recognize Booth–didn’t really know him. ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Do Your Eyes See It?  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 6, 2002

How do your eyes see it? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com so you are a Mother? I see alot different than you do, you see the mud all around you, Ha! I see the diamond in you. You compare yourself to others, and say I can never acheive that level. I say, you are beyond where most ever ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God