In Sermon Illustrations: "Guarding Your Heart"

Count Your Blessings—no, Really!

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Oct 22, 2008

Count Your Blessings--No, Really! It was a typical Indiana spring day. Outside the house, it was raining. Inside the house...it was raining. Water slowly dripped from the ceiling, reminding me that when you replace your own roof, there's nobody to get mad at when it leaks. I should be a pretty ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Pentecostal

Some Problems Depend On Your Perspective. This ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

Some problems depend on your perspective. This past week I read about a college student that sent a letter home to her parents from college. Dear Mom and Dad, I’m sorry to be so long in writing. Unfortunately, all my stationery was destroyed the night our dorm was set on fire by demonstrators. ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

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

Mowing Your Yard In The Midst Of A Flood!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

Glen and Jo Ann live in Orange County, California in a low lying area. It flooded one year and the local newspaper sent a reporter in a boat out to Glen and Jo Ann’s neighborhood. The reporter found Jo Ann, sitting on their roof watching large objects floating by, so he climbed up on the roof to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Tags: Humor, Priorities, Seeking The Kingdom First

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Watch Where Your Mouth Steps

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 1, 2020

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Before you condemn a person for losing a battle with their personal demons be sure you count your own battles and losses. No ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1

Tags: Condemnation, Battles

Denomination: Baptist

Blueprints For Your Children’s Character

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 15, 2020

There is a Minister who received an urgent note that said that a man in his congregation wanted to get a hold of him. The man’s problems have been 10 years in the making but have become urgent when the consequences of neglect suddenly materialized. The minister met the man at his office. He was a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 7:9

Tags: Children, Parenting, Blueprints

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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: Parables, Persistence, God The Father, Importunity, God's Willingness, Prayer, God's Love  (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: Patriotism, Freedom, America

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, Faith, Worry, Surrender, Burdens, Problems  (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: Ministry, Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Success, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life  (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: Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Tests, Trials, Temptations  (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: Offerings, Enemies, Murder, Self, Hate, Cain, Abel, Blood Of Christ  (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: Faith, Trust

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational