In Sermon Illustrations: "Hardship Of Life"

When A New Calf Is Born, Sometimes It ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jul 5, 2001

When a new calf is born, sometimes it doesn’t come to and breathe well right away. And so what a farmer will do - is to take a stick and jab it up the nostril of the calf. This jabbing irritates the calf - gets his heart pumping - hurries up his breathing. As a result, instead of dying, the calf ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God In The Hardships, Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

A Compassionate Man Once Noticed An Emperor Moth ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

A compassionate man once noticed an emperor moth struggling to emerge through a small hole in its cocoon and decided to assist it. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the cocoon. The moth emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The little moth spent the rest of ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, God In The Hardships, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

If Jesus Is Like My Daddy, I Don't Want Him In My Life.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 1, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, I was asked by one of our AWANA leaders to come to her group and talk to a little girl who really wanted to meet her pastor. She had a question for me. So, I paused what I was doing and found my way to where her group met in our church. The little girl was so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Fear, Children, Parents, Trust, Divorce, Assurance, Promises Of God, Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The 1992 Olympics In Barcelona Featured Memorable ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 15, 2001

The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona featured memorable moments of sports history. Derek Redmond of Great Britain was on the way to fulfilling a lifetime dream, that of winning a gold medal in the Olympics. He had earned a spot in the semifinals of the 400 meter race, and as the gun sounded to start the ...read more

Tags: Parenting, God In The Hardships, God's Provision

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[171]. A Message From A Poem – Living In A Country Town

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 21, 2025

[171]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN This poem is a little idealistic but it was written with the aim of a possible country gospel song. It is not my personal experience, though I have lived in isolated areas including in the semi-desert outback for many years. I can well ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-2, Psalm 8:3-4, Hebrews 13:5-6

Tags: Christian Poems, Country Town, Creation, Faithful, Isolation, Caring, The Creator, Never Leave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Awl For The Good  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

AWL FOR THE GOOD In 1809, Simon Renee Braille and his wife Monique welcomed their fourth child into the world-- a lively boy named Louis. They lived in a small stone house near Paris where Braille was the local harness maker. Leather working tools are dangerous, so the toddler had been ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Tags: Grace, God's Omniscience, God In The Hardships

The Bread Of Comfort  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2003

THE BREAD OF COMFORT In his book entitled God’s Psychiatry, Charles Allen tells this story: As World War II was drawing to a close, the Allied armies gathered up many hungry orphans. They were placed in camps where they were well-fed. Despite excellent care, they slept poorly. They seemed nervous ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Tags: Bread Of Heaven, Bread Of Life, Jesus Teachings, Life-Giving, Lordship Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Thank God For The Delusion!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Someone told a reformed alcoholic that his experience wasn't valid; that his religion was a delusion. He said, "Thank God for the delusion; it has put clothes on my children and shoes on their feet and bread in their mouths. It has made a man of me and it has put joy and peace in my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:1-7

Tags: Changed Life, Forgiveness, Salvation, Word Of God, New Life, New Birth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

According To The Most Recent National Statistics ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Oct 4, 2002

According to the most recent national statistics complied for the American Association of Suicidology: ▸ In 1999 across the United States 29,199 individuals ended their life through suicide; that’s an average of 80 per day, or one person killing themselves every 18 minutes. ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope, God In The Hardships, Emotions

Denomination: Assembly Of God

While I Was Working In The V Corps Chaplain's ...  PRO

Contributed by Julian Silva on Jan 9, 2003

While I was working in the V Corps Chaplain’s office in Frankfurt, Germany; I came in contact with many wonderful Christian individuals. One of the most inspiring was a German by the name of Carl Scholz. In speaking to him one day, he related to me of how that during the Second World War he served ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God In The Hardships, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Baptist

Joni Eareckson Tada, Who Was Paralyzed From The ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Nov 2, 2000

Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed from the neck down while still a teenager, wrote, "You don’t have to be alone in your hurt! Comfort is yours. Joy is an option. And it’s all been made possible by your Savior. He went without comfort so you might have it. He postponed joy so you might share in ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, God's Love, Joy

Denomination: Pentecostal

Most Of You Have Heard Of Ted ...  PRO

Contributed by Larry Sarver on May 10, 2001

Illustration: Most of you have heard of Ted Turner. He is the founder of CNN, TNT, TBS, etc. He is a very successful businessman, a billionaire and a well known critic of Christianity. In fact he has publicly stated that "Christianity is for losers." What is not so well known is how Mr. Turner ...read more

Tags: Doubt, God's Sovereign Will, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hudson Taylor, Missionary To Inland China, Wrote ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 9, 2001

Hudson Taylor, missionary to inland China, wrote this while under intense pressure and difficulty: "It does not matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies - whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart." Dr ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God In The Hardships, Endurance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Movie "Mighty Ducks" Is A David Vs Goliath ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Cassara on Sep 8, 2001

The movie "Mighty Ducks" is a David vs Goliath type of film. Gordon Bombay, a high priced lawyer with a prestigious law firm is arrested for DWI and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service. His assignment is to coach a pee wee hockey team made up of a bunch of misfits and troubled kids ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Faith, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Written By Irenaues From The 2nd Century. From ...  PRO

Contributed by Rita Sims on Sep 9, 2001

Written by Irenaues from the 2nd Century. From God’s Hands It is not you who shape God; it is God that shapes you. If then you are the work of God, await the hand of the Artist who does all things in due season. Offer the Potter your heart, soft and tractable, and keep the form in which the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-12

Tags: Endurance, God The Father, God In The Hardships

Denomination: United Methodist

The Only Survivor Of A Shipwreck Was Washed Up On ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Sep 19, 2001

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. He eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and ...read more

Tags: Faith, God's Omniscience, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

Oh Boy, Satan Wants To Kick You Off Your Road Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Eric Olson on Nov 15, 2001

Oh boy, Satan wants to kick you off your road of blessings. Have you ever played the game Crash Bandacoot for Sony Playstation? In this game Crash runs along and picks up little goodies. He jumps on crates and, the majority of the time, there are little goodies in them. In order to get to these ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, God's Omnipotence, Endurance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Me A Stout Heart To Bear My Own Burdens. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Give me a stout heart to bear my own burdens. Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others. Give me a believing heart to cast all ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:2

Tags: Compassion, God In The Hardships, God's Provision

There Is No Situation So Chaotic That God Cannot ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: God In The Hardships, Descriptions Of God, Creation

A Time Better Served on January 9, 1985, A...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 25, 2002

A TIME BETTER SERVED On January 9, 1985, a Congregational pastor in Bulgaria named Christo Kuleczef, was arrested and put in jail. His crime was preaching in his church, just like I am right now. It was a crime because the week before the village committee had appointed a new pastor. The secular ...read more

Tags: Endurance, God In The Hardships, Human Body

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational