In Sermon Illustrations: "Hardship Of Life"

If You Have The Truth And It's A Matter Of Life ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

If you have the truth and it’s a matter of life or death, you had better be assertive. For example, I do a tremendous amount of flying. It has been my observation that pilots are some of the most arrogant people you would ever want to meet. First of all, in all my years of air travel they have ...read more

Tags: World Religions

Not All Quotations About Life Have Been ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Not all quotations about life have been negative, for example: Norman Thomas (1884-1968), “The secret of a good life is to have the right loyalties and hold them in the right scale of values.” Oswald Spengler, a German historian and philosopher (1880-1936), “This is our purpose: to make as ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

In How Life Imitates The World Series, Dave ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In How Life Imitates the World Series, Dave Bosewell tells a story about Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Sports fans will enjoy how he handled star Reggie Jackson. Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset Jackson because he felt ...read more

Tags: Faith

Coach Bear Bryant Had A Purpose In Life.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

The famous and very successful football coach Bear Bryant often told reporters, "I’d croak in a month if I quit coaching." After twenty-five years as the head coach at his alma mater, Bryant announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. On December 29, 1982, he coached his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, Philippians 1:21

Tags: Careers, Death, Sports, Men, Retirement, Purpose  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Would My Life Be Without A Cookie.

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 21, 2023

This past week was about as crazy as they get. When I think it can't get any crazier, somebody hears me and makes it crazier just for me. One morning I had to go across town to get some office supplies and other things. I try to ensure that when I go, it's for several things, not just ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16

Tags: Cookie, Refreshing

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Making Decisions Is The Hardest Part Of My Life

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 3, 2024

If it were not for decisions, my life would be perfect. After all these years, I still wrestle with decision-making. I admit that I often don’t make good decisions. I'm not sure, so don't repeat this, but I think The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage knows this and uses it to her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Decisions, Choices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Speaking Death Or Life Over Your Marriage?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Far too many people spend a lot of time speaking death over their marriages. "Psychologists Cliff Notarous of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied married couples during the first decade of marriage. Among couples who ultimately stayed together, only 5 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:20-22

Tags: Marriage, Words, Putdowns

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Coffee Has Changed My Life

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 1, 2025

Recently, I was sitting drinking a nice hot cup of coffee. It's the first thing I do, and I can't get anything done until I do. I was thinking about this coffee as I was drinking it and remembered there was a time when I did not like coffee at all. When I was young, my parents made coffee ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Life Change, Coffee

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

He Still Brings The Dead Back To Life

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 20, 2025

A friend shared this story with me on Resurrection Sunday, it happened on the same day 20 years earlier. Proof God is still bringing the dead back to life - I wanted to share a resurrection Sunday testimony from around 20 years ago, I bought a very used small pickup and the seller claimed the AC ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20

Tags: Resurrection, Miracles

Denomination: Charismatic

[264]. A Message From A Poem – The Facts Of Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 14, 2026

[264]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE FACTS OF LIFE This is a simple enough poem but it contains important information. I have called it “The Facts of Life,” not the normally understood application of that term, but the facts pertinent to the Christian life lived here on earth. The poem is in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 15:7

Tags: Living For Jesus, The Glory Of God, Walking With The Lord, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The Facts Of Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Japanese Introduced A Tree To The World That ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The Japanese introduced a tree to the world that is called a Bonsai tree. It is measured in inches instead of feet as other trees are measured. It is not allowed to reach its full growth potential but instead grows in a stunted miniature form. The reason for it growing in stunted form is that when ...read more

Tags: Hardship, Trial, God In The Hardships

Interesting Story . . . 1936, His First Book And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

INTERESTING STORY . . . 1936, HIS FIRST BOOK AND TO THINK I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET WAS REJECTED 43 TIMES . . . FAIL MISERABLY. SEVERAL SUBSEQUENT BOOKS MET THE SAME FATE AS THEY BARELY MADE A SCRATCH ON THE LITERATURE RADAR SCREEN. IN FACT IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1954 WHEN LIFE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED A ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

All Part Of God's Plan  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2009

ALL PART OF GOD’S PLAN In the opening pages of his autobiography, "An American Life," Ronald Reagan writes, I was raised to believe that God had a plan for everyone and that seemingly random twists of fate are all a part of His plan. My mother - a small woman with auburn hair and a sense of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: God In The Hardships

Houses Of Refuge

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

HOUSES OF REFUGE There was no alternative to manslaughter. If you wanted to live, the only option was to flee to one of these cities of refuge. [HOUSE OF REFUGE, HUTCHINSON IS., FL] House of Refuge- The House of Refuge is the last remaining shipwreck life-saving station on Florida’s Atlantic ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 35:6-34

Tags: God In The Hardships

Two Horses  PRO

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Jan 12, 2007

Two Horses ~ Author Unknown Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. >From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:46-48

Tags: Value Of Life, Life, Accountability

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Light In The Darkness  PRO

Contributed by Steven Angus on May 20, 2013

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Some of you may be familiar with the name Catherine Marshall. She was a wonderful Christian author who wrote such classics as Christy, which became a television series. There was an occasion in her life when she felt as if the flame of God’s love had gone out. It started ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, Psalm 22:1-31

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: United Methodist

Today Our Prayer Could Be: Lord, You Were Neither ...

Contributed by Michael West on Sep 29, 2008

Today our prayer could be: Lord, You were neither disheartened nor crushed as You lived YOUR life. The Father upheld You in Your mission. We ask today to uphold us. Grant us new strength, restore our ...read more

Tags: Prayer Hardship

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Great Barrier Reef: Challenges Grow Us

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2009

GREAT BARRIER REEF: CHALLENGES GROW US Australia’s Barrier Reef. The reef has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy and strong. And it reproduces. That is how it is with people too. When challenged and tested, we come ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:9

Tags: God In The Hardships

Just In The Nick Of Time

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2009

JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME A favorite literary device of authors, playwrights, and screen writers is that of the hero who shows up just in the nick of time. You’ve read books or seen movies like this. Just when everything seems lost and all hope is gone and disaster is imminent, the hero arrives to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Tags: God In The Hardships

Mistake At The Movies

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Illustration- Mistake at the Movies A young fellow named John had purchased movie tickets for his girlfriend and himself. While he got the popcorn, she went inside to find seats. By the time he was served, the previews were being shown. As he fumbled his way in the dark, he sat down and gave his ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships