In Sermon Illustrations: "Hebrews 12:4-14:5"

[031] A Message From A Poem – Before Him Lay The Cross

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 19, 2025

[031] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEFORE HIM LAY THE CROSS We have a retrospective view of the cross in a very limited understanding, but the Lord’s view in the Garden of gethsemane was a forward one. The anticipation of that ordeal was a dreadful one. That comes out in the description and this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, John 3:16-17, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 22:13-16, Matthew 26:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, The Cross, Anticipation, Endurance, Cross, Suffering, Gethsemane, Endure, Calvary  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[065]. A Message From A Poem – Earth Is Going To Reap Its Sinfulness

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 21, 2025

[065]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EARTH IS GOING TO REAP ITS SINFULNESS “You will get what you deserve!” “I hope you get into lots of trouble.” These may be the sayings of children and the thoughts of adults. What they are all looking to is retribution. Retribution is usually associated with ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Matthew 16:27, Hebrews 2:2-3

Tags: Retribution, Recompense, Revenge, Accountability, Sinfulness, Sowing, Reaping, Vengeance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[087]. A Message From A Poem – For All Christians - The Three Os

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 24, 2025

[087]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - THE THREE Os There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the third one in the second set ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:45, James 4:6, 1 Samuel 15:22, Hebrews 5:8-9

Tags: For All Christians, Obey, Opposition, Poetry, Open, Poem, Oppose, Obedience, Wrong  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[210]. A Message From A Poem – Our Pilgrim Journey

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 23, 2025

[210]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – OUR PILGRIM JOURNEY When I was to do the Introduction for this poem I noticed that it had only 3 stanzas. I don’t write poems that short, so back there in 2021, I may have intended coming back to it to add more. I can not remember now. Anyway I did add all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-4, 1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13

Tags: Home, Pilgrim, Pilgrim Journey, Christian Poems, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Going For Help

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 28, 2025

An airliner was making its way from New York to San Francisco. Midway across the country, one of the engines caught fire. The captain came on the intercom and calmly reassured the passengers, > “Don’t worry. The fire will be out soon. This aircraft can fly just fine with three engines.” Not ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-2, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20, John 14:27, Hebrews 13:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Trust, Sovereignty, Assurance, Providence, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Is Bitterness Still In Your Life?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2025

Has someone ever said something ... or done something to you ... which you found ... difficult ... to forgive? Every time you hear their name, ... even if the incident happened years ago ... still brings uneasiness ... to your soul. It is ... as though you were reliving the event ... all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 12:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Forgiveness, Bitterness, Prisoner

Denomination: Anglican

Stewardship Billfold Story - Humor

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 3, 2025

When I think of stewardship it brings to mind a story about a minister who was baptizing his new converts in a farm pond not far from the church. One of the gentlemen that was being baptized was a prosperous farmer known in his community for his tight grip on the dollar. When his name was called ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-12, Hebrews 7:1, Matthew 25:18, Matthew 6:21, Proverbs 3:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Steward, Stewardship, Baptism, Money

Denomination: Anglican

[246]. A Message From A Poem – Soon The Lord Will Come For Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 2, 2026

[246]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SOON THE LORD WILL COME FOR ME Lines here can be reversed to make 9-7-9-7. (Change “Soon” Line 3 to “When”) The chosen metre for this poem in a more unusual one 7-9-7-9 as it does not follow the usual convention of having the first line longer than the second line. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Titus 2:13, Revelation 4:1, 1 Corinthians 15:52-53

Tags: Christian Poems, Rapture, Blessed Hope, The Coming Of The Lord, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Boy Waits For The Bus  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2012

A BOY WAITS FOR THE BUS There's an old story of the boy who stood on a sidewalk, waiting on a bus. A man walking by spotted the boy, and gave him some gentle instruction. "Son," he said, "if you're waiting on the bus, you need to move to the street corner. That's where the bus stops for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-16, Hebrews 10:10, 2 Timothy 4:6, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 8:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

Timothy: Paul Called Him A "Man Of God”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 2, 2020

Text: 1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God (Timothy), flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Thoughts: we know at least a few things about Timothy, as recorded in the New Testament. He was from Lystra, a city in Asia Minor (Acts 16:1, this city ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11, Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:23

Tags: Paul, Man Of God, Timothy

Denomination: Baptist

The Wrong Target

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 31, 2021

Emmons loses gold medal after aiming at wrong target! 2004 Washington Post: Matt Emmons of the United States shoots at wrong target, finishes eighth. (Douglas C. Pizac -- AP) Matthew Emmons is an elite athlete ! He was an accounting major from Browns Mill, New Jersey. He was a four-year ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:26-30, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 12:1-3

Tags: Purpose, Priorities, Idolatry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being A Professional 24 7

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 22, 2021

Athletes strive for excellence and continual improvement. Disciples of Christ must take the same attitude. Hockey star Matthew Barzal of the New York Islanders comments on doing and being your best: Whether that's having short hair and clean facial hair throughout the regular season or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 3:12

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Worship, Commitment, Discipleship, Excellence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From The Pothole

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 21, 2023

Driving to work the other day I hit a pothole and, like most people, I reacted angrily. “Why can’t they do something about this?” I mumbled under my breathe. But this time instead of complaining I thought maybe I could learn a lesson or two from the pothole. Here’s what I learned: Pothole Lesson ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:11, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 Peter 1:6

Tags: Trouble, Pain, Proverbs, Persecution, Wisdom, Suffering, Difficulties  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[093]. A Message From A Poem – Foraging In The Depths Of Scripture

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 30, 2025

[093]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FORAGING IN THE DEPTHS OF SCRIPTURE This poem deals with getting into the heart of scripture. There are images and techniques and encouragement in these stanzas. I actually make the comparison between a mudskipper that flits across the shallows on the water, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:27, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Buried Treasure, Inspired, Dig Deep, Eel, Mudskipper, Scripture, Word Of God, Workman  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[096]. A Message From A Poem – From Earth To Heaven

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[096]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN This poem is one of rhyming couplets and the theme is “now on earth, but looking towards being in heaven with the Lord.” Do you love the world? Well my answer is yes and no. I absolutely love the world, that is, the creation in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:2-3, Hebrews 6:19, Romans 3:11-18, Psalm 8:3, Psalm 19:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Creation, Glory, Heaven, Hope, Poem, The World, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[187]. A Message From A Poem – My Final Destination

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 5, 2025

[187]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY FINAL DESTINATION What is your final destination? “Well,” say some, “death is the end of it all. There is nothing after death. Evolution placed us here and will see our end recycled.” Those who deny an eternal spirit in man just ignore the bible’s message – ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-15, John 12:32, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 1:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Glory In Heaven, Christian Poems, Heaven, Journey, Destination, Final, Seal  (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: Christian Poems, Old Leaven, Confession, Repentance, Rededication, Conviction, Besetting Sin, Falling Into Sin, Forgiveness, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[232]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections On The Christian Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 20, 2025

[232]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The poem explores some aspects of our faith. Each stanza makes a statement beginning with "What". STANZA 1 – Christ is glorified, and one day we will share in that glory. STANZA 2 – As perfect Man Jesus helps us in our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Titus 2:13, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 2:18, 1 Peter 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Helpless, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Comes To Our Aid, Glory, Worship, Hope, Help  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stoy Of Apostle John - His Hobby

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026

There are times ... when our lives move... so fast, ... that we need to slow down ... and let our souls catch up ... with our bodies. According to Early Church tradition ... when the Apostle John was Bishop at Ephesus, ... he had a hobby ... of raising pigeons. On one occasion... we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 37:7, Exodus 34:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Mind, Still, Hobby, Rest

Denomination: Anglican

God, Rescue Me! Help Me!

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026

The story opens: It was a dark and stormy night. A man was walking along a seaside cliff. He was unfamiliar with the path and didn't know that a part of it had crumbled away. He stepped onto the crumbled bank and found himself sliding down the edge of the cliff. He was frantically ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10, Psalm 37:7, Exodus 34:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 4:9-10, Mark 2:23-28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Lord, God, Trust, Sabbath, Rest, Trusting, Resting, Trying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican