In Sermon Illustrations: "Hardship Of Life"

There Is No Racial Distinction In The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 29, 2017

All human beings are equally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to lay down His life for us (John 3:16). The “world” obviously includes all ethnic groups. I like to use the following illustration which works as well with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Tags: Human Life, Jesus Died For All

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Five Facts About Valleys

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

God designs valleys for His sheep to grow and sometimes He has to "make us lie down" there to teach us how to trust Him. Here are 5 facts about valleys we need to remember: 1. Valleys are INEVITABLE. Jesus promised valleys would come in this world (John 16:33). 2. Valleys are UNPREDICTABLE. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4

Tags: Character, Tests, Trials, Valleys Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Room At The Cross For You

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 1, 2020

On the deck of a sinking ship stood an African slave- the last man on board. He was to be the last person to get on the last lifeboat. The life boat was loaded to the water line. The slave had something in his arms and the sailors refused to take him until he let that go. He pressed to his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12, John 3:16, John 15:13

Tags: Salvation, Cross, Eternal Life, Perish

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Some Thoughts About Veteran’s Day

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 15, 2022

Text, James 1:12, KJV: 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Thoughts: Veteran’s Day was originally called Armistice Day. This was because on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12

Tags: Veterans, Crown Of Life, Veteran's Day

Denomination: Baptist

I Was Scammed!

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Mar 7, 2023

It was the summer after my freshman year of Bible college. On this particular day, I was lounging at home, when all of a sudden, my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I answered anyway. The man on the other end said, "Congratulations! You've won the Dreams Come True ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10

Tags: Scams, Wasted Life, The Devil's Tricks

Denomination: Baptist

Parallels Between Jesus And The Manna In The Wilderness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 18, 2024

The manna that fell in the Wilderness can be compared to Christ in 5 specific ways: CAME FROM HEAVEN: Manna, as described in the Old Testament, serves as a symbolic representation of Christ. Let me explain further. Heavenly Origin: Manna was a miraculous food provided by God to sustain the ...read more

Tags: Christ, Bread Of Life, Manna, Typology

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

One blogger wrote: “Today, I was at work, nonchalantly spinning my keys around my finger when they flew off and hit a glass cabinet. Broken glass showered passing customers. I don't think I'll have a job to go to tomorrow.” Or how about this one: “Today, I went to my parents' place to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Tags: Happenings, Life, Mistakes, Disappointment, Surprises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God, Can You Help Me Mother?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 2, 2005

GOD, CAN YOU HELP ME MOTHER? Elisa Morgan, President of the Christian mother’s organization called MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International, writes: “I’m probably the least likely person to head a mothering organization. I grew up in a broken home. My parents were divorced when I was 5. My ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:1-31

Tags: Parenting, Mother's Day, God In The Hardships

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

In A View From The Zoo, Gary Richmond Tells About ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on May 11, 2002

In A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond tells about the birth of a giraffe: The first things to emerge are the baby giraffe’s front hooves and head. A few minutes later the plucky newborn is hurled forth, falls ten feet, and lands on its back. Within seconds, he rolls to an upright position with ...read more

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

Denomination: Church Of God

A Heart Focused On God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

A HEART FOCUSED ON GOD One writer (Warren Wiersbe) wrote a book called Victorious Christian about a woman named Fanny Crosby. Crosby was the author of over 8000 songs including several that we sang today. In fact she wrote so many that she had to write under pseudonymns just so she could get more ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-19

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Peace, God In The Hardships