In Sermon Illustrations: "Hardship Of Life"

Surface Level Fellowship

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2022

Bill Hybels recalls a time when “Dr. Bilezikian said there’s life-changing fellowship in biblically functioning community. That was a far cry from the childhood experience of a lot of his audience! The only kind of fellowship that many of his listeners had witnessed revolved around the fifteen or ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Tags: Fellowship, Community, Small Groups

God Still Has One More Move

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2023

This is a story about a painting in a famous art gallery in France. The painting depicts two chess players, one of whom is Satan, who appears arrogantly confident, and the other is a man who looks forlorn. If Satan wins, he wins the man's soul. (The painting is now popularly known as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painting, Control, Player, Chess

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

Why Are So Many Not Healed?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 11, 2024

WHY ARE SO MANY NOT HEALED? Lack of Biblical Faith This is a slippery slope that can end with someone believing it is their fault they are not healed. Much like the people who asked Jesus if the reason someone was sick was because it was their fault. Even a little faith is pleasing to God. But no ...read more

Tags: Medicine, Gift Of Healing, Faith, Healing, Prayer, Miracles, Health, Sickness  (view more)  (view less)

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

[229]. A Message From A Poem - Rededication Based On 1 Corinthians 5:7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 16, 2025

[229]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEDICATION BASED ON 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 This poem is a penitent’s response to sin in his/her life. I think a lot of us would know David’s prayer and confession in Psalm 51. Christians are not sinless people and the people who have a holiness teaching, and carry it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 1:8-9, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Conviction, Besetting Sin, Falling Into Sin, Christian Poems, Old Leaven, Forgiveness, Sin, Confession, Repentance, Rededication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shoveling Snow

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 3, 2026

It was frigid—bone-chilling—and we had another heavy snowfall. When I opened my garage door, I quickly realized that looking at the big picture wouldn’t be helpful. Instead, I needed to focus on just one shovel of snow at a time. Blinders would have been useful, so that I wouldn’t see to the left ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-21

Tags: Slow Down, Trials

Denomination: Methodist

When Someone Becomes Really Great At What They ...  PRO

Contributed by Justin Meek on Jun 6, 2001

When someone becomes really great at what they do, it almost always because they spent years dedicating themselves to it. Pete Rose didn’t just wake up one day as a great ball player, he dedicated his life to being a great ball player. Tori Murden didn’t just hop into a boat one day out of the blue ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Discipleship, Call Of The Disciples, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Well  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 14, 2002

IT IS WELL “H. G. Spafford was a businessman in Chicago. He was a dedicated Christian. [There were times in his life when the wisdom he followed was earthly, unspiritual, and subject to the enemy’s schemes]. He had some serious financial reversals, and during the time of readjustment, he lost ...read more

Tags: Peace, God Brings Hope

Denomination: United Methodist

Comfortable In Hell  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 6, 2002

COMFORTABLE IN HELL Jeff Strite tells this story about his Dad. My Dad was what was known as "a rounder." A man’s man. Hard worker, hard fighter, and a hard player of baseball and basketball. He was attractive to women and he loved to go out and dance. Now, it’s not that dad was a stranger ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Hell, Jesus Teachings, Parable Lazarus

Hare Products  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 16, 2003

HARE PRODUCTS A man was blissfully driving along the highway, when he saw the Easter Bunny hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the bunny, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of his car and was hit. The basket of eggs went flying all over the place. Candy, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:11

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Not Long After Paul Was In Prison There Was A ...  PRO

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 21, 2003

Not long after Paul was in prison there was a man, one of the early church fathers, by the name of Pollycarp. He lived his life for the sake and the glory of God. At eighty-six years old the officials called upon him. Even before this he had a vision that he was to by martyred. He could have fled ...read more

Tags: Faith, Endurance, Death Nearness

Denomination: Baptist

When The United States Women's Softball Team Won ...  PRO

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Oct 21, 2003

When the United States Women’s Softball team won the gold medal in Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic games, they lost only one game, but from that loss came a remarkable story about perseverance. In the fifth inning against Australia, Danielle Tyler hit a home run over the center-field fence. The American ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Heard The Story Of A Game Warden That Saw A ...  PRO

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Jan 22, 2004

I heard the story of a game warden that saw a fellow heading downstream with his fishing pole and tackle box. He went up to him and asked to see the man’s license. The man said, “Warden, I don’t need a license. I’m not fishing. I’m just carrying this here pole and tackle box. No law against ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Empty Tomb  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 17, 2004

The Empty Tomb Little Philip, born with Down’s syndrome, attended a third-grade Sunday School class with several eight-year-old boys and girls. Typical of that age, the children did not readily accept Philip with his differences, according to an article in leadership magazine. But because of a ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Baptist

For Example… Let's Say That Next Week I Get A ...

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 22, 2004

For example… let’s say that next week I get a chance to go to California. While I’m there, I rent a car and drive around the state capital. I’m stopped at a stoplight and I get rear-ended by a very expensive car. I’m not really hurt, but I’m a little upset. I get out of my car and the other driver ...read more

Tags: Faith, Faith General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Following Excerpt Was Sent To Icon New Market ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2005

The following excerpt was sent to Icon New Market Films: "I realize you probably never have the occasion to see him, but if you do, could you tell Mel Gibson that a 74 year old woman named Hally Raisor saw the Passion and as a result she gave her life to Jesus Christ and was baptized. The only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-7, Hebrews 2:9

Tags: Cross, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation, Passion  (view more)  (view less)

Marshall  PRO

Contributed by Bishop Raymond Allan Johnson on Feb 9, 2005

Marshall I’m 54 years old and I’ve forgotten a whole lot of things that have happened to me in the course of my life – but there is one incident that has stuck with me for right at 50 years; and will probably be with me for the rest of my life. When I was four years old my mother moved us into a ...read more

Tags: Emotions

Denomination: *other

There Is A Wonderful Park Located In North ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Lundy on Mar 19, 2005

There is a wonderful park located in North Carolina called the Fields of the Wood. It is just the other side of the Great Smokey Moutains from Gatlinburg, TN. It is owned and maintained by the Church’s of God. Inside the park is the largest Ten Commandments in the world. They are laid out on a ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Touching In Church

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 6, 2005

Touching in Church What is all this touching in church? It used to be a person could come to church and sit in the pew and not be bothered by all this friendliness and certainly not by touching. I used to come to church and leave untouched. Now I have to be nervous about what is expected of me. I ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Christian Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible