In Sermon Illustrations: "Heart Of God"

The 60's Were Very Difficult Times In America. ...

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Nov 20, 2008

The 60’s were very difficult times in America. Morals were declining rapidly, Vietnam was an unpopular war. Many were advocating free love, drugs, and a sexual revolution. Out of those days of spiritual decay, God raised up a group called the "Jesus People." One man who was saved was Greg Laurie ...read more

Tags: Revival

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Church, No America

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Dec 6, 2008

NO CHURCH, NO AMERICA This week I received a letter in the mail from the Reverend Barry W. Lynn, the executive director of the organization "Americans United for Separation of Church and State." There would no America if there was no Church. This country was discovered, founded and populated by ...read more

Tags: Government

Denomination: Baptist

In 1989, A Small Church In Holland, Michigan Was ...

Contributed by Bledar Valca on Dec 24, 2008

In 1989, a small church in Holland, Michigan was seeing for ways how to make Jesus they focus of their Christian life. Having read “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon, they agreed with a company to produce a bracelet that would have the letters “WWJD” on it. The letters stand for “What Would Jesus ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope Of A Good Day

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Hope of a Good Day Max Lucado, preacher and writer, teaches that "every day deserves a chance." He feels so strongly about it, he wrote a book with the same title. Regardless of what is in our day, if we give it a chance, it can become a "good" day. Of course, coupled with this thought is the ...read more

Tags: Endurance

I Am Reminded Of Archimedes, The Ancient Greek ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

I am reminded of Archimedes, the ancient Greek scientist who discovered the value of leverage. As he was enamored with his fulcrum, he was said to have proclaimed, “Give me a place to stand and I’ll move the whole world.” Beloved, God, our Rock, IS that place to stand. Indeed, if we can handle the ...read more

Tags: Strength

Denomination: *other

How Urgent Do We Approach The Harvest

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 13, 2017

In Matthew 9:38 Jesus describes driving workers into the field with the urgency of a harvest that cannot wait. Yet, so often our churches have become ho-hum about God's harvest. How can revival come to our land when our churches are so Laodicean in attitude? How can our dying western ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:38

Tags: Harvest, Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Natural To Seek Pleasure

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

“Every creature in the universe is programmed to pursue pleasure. The wolf seeks meat, the bear seeks warmth. That is an indisputable fact, and that's the way God wants it. “Human were created for pleasure, too. But unlike other creatures, humans have the ability to tap into their spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 2:25

Tags: Recreation, Fun, Humor, Balance, Pleasure, Enjoyment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Serving Or Souring

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 13, 2022

If you are not serving where you are do not expect to be called to somewhere else to serve. Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Saul/Paul and Barnabas were already serving in the church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:2

Tags: Service, Ministry, Call

Denomination: Baptist

Counterfeit Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

"It is possible for the old nature to counterfeit some of the fruit of the Spirit, but the flesh can never produce the fruit of the Spirit. One difference is this: when the Spirit produces fruit, God gets the glory and the Christian is not conscious of his spirituality; but when the flesh is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Fruit, Flesh, Fruit Of The Spirit, Works Of The Flesh, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fullness Of Time

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 10, 2025

Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” Part of the “fullness of time” is that Jesus would be condemned to die, and it would include being bruised and bleeding. It would include a whipping so we can know “by His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6, Galatians 4:4

Tags: Bleeding, Fullness Of Time, Stripes, Healed

Denomination: Methodist

No Other Way

Contributed by John Bright on Jul 11, 2026

Today, we live in a world that believes something is true if most folks say it or somebody is shouting it the loudest. We see this both inside and outside the church. What I hear shouted most of the time is this: “There is more than one way to heaven” and “all the gods of all the religions are ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, 1 John 1:1-4

Tags: Salvation, Idolatry, Pluralism

Denomination: Methodist

No Jacket Required  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 27, 2004

NO JACKET REQUIRED I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be ...read more

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Following Story Was Written By A Missionary ...

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 26, 2009

The following story was written by a missionary doctor who worked in Africa. "One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Denomination: Baptist

Washington Bureau: Terry Mattingly's Religion ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

WASHINGTON BUREAU: Terry Mattingly’s religion column for 11/07/2001 It’s hard to miss the Big Idea when an artist puts it right on a painting in bold letters. "He That Believeth Not Shall Be Damned. Not A Crown But Hellfire And Brimstone," wrote Howard Finster, using his unorthodox spelling and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Becoming A Christian

Cymbala's Easter Story  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2005

CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:15-18, Luke 23:32-34, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, John 13:34-35, Matthew 25:34-45, Psalm 40:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 1:1-11, Matthew 18:22-35, Matthew 22:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Second Coming, New Year, Dignity, Body Of Christ, Supper, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Man From Slums Of N.y. Converted And Ordained By ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2009

Man from Slums of N.Y. Converted and Ordained by Jim Cymbala Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-13

Tags: Compassion

Numbers In The Bible  PRO

Contributed by Pastor Cosmos on Jan 13, 2011

NUMBERS IN THE BIBLE Remember to use these keys when dealing whith Bible Prophecy only Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic or spiritual significance. Both in the Old and New Testaments, numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-2

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Charismatic

Story: Excerpt From ¨loving Mercy" By Simon Ponsonby

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 12, 2012

Story: When Maddy and I were in Oxford at Wycliffe Hall, we used to go to Church in St Aldates. About 11 years after leaving Wycliffe, I was in Oxford one Sunday and so I decided to go to the evening service at St Aldates (08-07-2012). As I walked in. I looked at the bookrack in the entrance and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-19

Tags: Forgiveness, Christian Love

Denomination: Anglican

The Key To The Gate

Contributed by Justin Lauramore on Nov 12, 2012

THE KEY TO THE GATE Picture this, you have walked for miles and miles. You are tired and ready for a long nap. You walk up towards a town gate. As you stare at a distance you meet a young man that tells you that the gate is locked. You say ok, well I will test this out for myself. As you continue ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Who Do You Play For? Tjbts

Contributed by Blake Henson on Jun 6, 2023

Who Do You Play For? shows a player that is wearing a certain jersey but appears to be playing for the other team because he is doing everything to help the other team win. This is to make you examine your actions do they truly say you are a Christian? URL: https://youtu.be/xLEEMrkpspY SUMMARY In ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:11

Tags: Salvation, Actions