In Sermon Illustrations: "Holiness Of God"

Orphans

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

Rubel Shelly tells of his friends Rich and Patty White, who traveled to a 3rd world country to adopt a little girl named Olona. After 2 years of effort and paperwork, the Whites stood before a judge who read words from an official document: “Inasmuch as Olona Morgan is orphaned and unwanted by ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18

Tags: Chosen By God, Orphan, Unwanted

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Charles Colson Tells The Story Of Being On Th...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Charles Colson tells the story of being on the Bill Buckley television program, talking about criminal justice reform. A few days later he got a call from Jack Eckerd, the founder of the Eckerd Drug chain, the second largest drug chain in America. He saw me on television and asked me to come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-16

Tags: True Repentance, Led By God

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Chris Jeffries tells the story of Roy who was feeling frustrated that he was not able to do what he felt he was born to do. So he prayed for Our Father to change something. Then there was a knock at the door and they met two strangers, a married couple. They invited them in and sat them down at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-8

Tags: Prayer, God's Will, Confidence In Prayer

Denomination: Methodist

It Felt Like Abuse...but, Lesson Learned

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jan 18, 2017

So there I am. I’m sitting on the couch...with my eyes closed...attempting to nap. I hadn’t felt good all day. Because my wife is out of town visiting her elderly parents, our dog, who is lovesick for her, spends his entire day and night in our bedroom, in some doggie blankets, placed on the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:28

Tags: Relationship To God, Great Expectations

Denomination: *other

He Became One Of Us!

Contributed by Chris Stringer on Mar 3, 2018

It was a cold winter morning, as I prepared my coffee and sit at the kitchen table. I kept hearing this sound, as something was hitting the window. I watched as this little bird continually flew back and forth into my kitchen window. I thought to myself, "This poor little guy is going to freeze." ...read more

Tags: Love Of God, Became Flesh

Denomination: *other

The Vine

Contributed by Michael E. Bartee Sr. on Oct 19, 2018

When I was growing up I was one of six children. Our house was very small, only four rooms. And without any of the convieniences most houses had in those days. We did not have a bathroom,running water, or a furnace. There were two boys, about my age, that lived close by. In my mind they were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:15

Tags: Trusting God, Faith In Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saved People Have Two Birthdays!

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 4, 2019

Born Again - John 1:12-13 (Also see John 3:1-16) 12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the (power or authority or) right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: 13. who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13, John 3:1-16

Tags: Born Again, Family Of God

Denomination: Baptist

A Modern Day (Sports) Parable

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 21, 2019

The Parable Of The Free Agent Hockey Players “For the kingdom of heaven is like a rich sports owner who went out at 6 AM on July 1st , free agency day, to find players for his hockey team. At the local Starbucks he found a Superstar player. He said, “I’ll make you a good offer. - $5 million per ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Tags: Grace, Gospel, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Answer To My Prayers

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 5, 2021

I don’t see as many vending machines around as I used to see. The ones I see now, you can pay with your phone or your smart watch. In the old days, all the vending machines had the food on metal coils that would rotate and move the food forward when you make your selection. Sometimes, that item ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13, Luke 4:38-44

Tags: God, Prayer, Vending Machine

Denomination: Methodist

Grace - A Poem By Elicia Roy

Contributed by Elicia Roy on Mar 18, 2021

GRACE What is this thought of undeserved grace? A sinner condemned to a tormenting place. Unable to hope, without a way out, Weeping and gnashing of teeth all about. Separated from love and life, Only surrounded by pain and strife, Nothing I could do to change my state, A sinner condemned to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: The Gospel, The Cross, The Grace Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judgement And Mercy - 2 Sides Of The Same Coin

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 27, 2021

Mercy and Judgement are two sides of the same coin – We often put different parts of God’s character (attributes) into conflict. If we declare God as merciful, can He still bring righteous judgement? Let me share an example to help you understand the connection between mercy and judgment. If you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Mercy, Judgment, Attributes Of God

Denomination: Methodist

When Prayers Are Answered Just The Opposite Of How You Prayed!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 14, 2021

Found on the body of a Confederate Soldier during the Civil War: I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Tags: Prayer, Will Of God, Mysteries, Surprises

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thief And Parrot

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Aug 7, 2025

One night, a thief broke into a big, rich house. He wanted to steal expensive things. He looked around and started putting gold and jewelry into his bag. As he walked through the house, he suddenly heard a voice say: "Jesus is watching you." The thief stopped. He looked around but didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:21

Tags: Parrot, God, Thief, Watching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tribes And Nations

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 29, 2022

Genesis 11:10 – Gen. 12:5 Shem (oldest son of Noah, in the lineage of David, Joseph, and Jesus Christ) We note Shem’s genealogy both in Genesis 10 and here in Genesis 11; why? – Abraham and eventually Israel came from the lineage of Shem; Genesis 11 gives details and sets up Abraham Shem ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:10-32

Tags: Faith, God, Israel, Population

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Peanut Parable

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 24, 2023

The kingdom of God is like a man who looked in a new way at a food grown and eaten only by poor folks, the peanut, and developed over three hundred by products from it: cereals, oils, dyes, soaps, and food substitutes. It turned out that the crop restored the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Tags: Growth, Kingdom Of God, Lavish

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Come And See

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 22, 2023

Come and See ~ When was the day you received the invitation? Come and see. Come and see. When was the day you heard the Master’s voice? When was the day you made Christ your choice? When was the day you allowed the Savior in? When was the day you were cleansed from sin? That was the day He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, John 4:29

Tags: Christ, Invitation, Knowing God

Denomination: Baptist

Blue Marbles Reveal The Condition Of The Heart

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Mar 12, 2024

There was a young boy named John and his favorite past time was playing marbles. John was out in the playground one day when he saw Susie carrying a box of chocolates. Now John also loved to eat chocolates. So he thought for a while before saying to Susie: “Susie, if you give me your box of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:12, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Tags: Greed, Giving, Doubting God

Denomination: Baptist

Is A Blue Whale The Biggest Thing There Is?

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jun 16, 2024

Leave it to a children’s book to help us see how big our universe is. In a book entitled "Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?" Robert Wells takes us from a size we can grasp to one we can’t. The largest animal on earth is the blue whale. Just the flippers on its tail are bigger ...read more

Tags: Creation, Omnipresence, Power Of God

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unlocking Your Godly Potentials

Contributed by Godsgift Bee Willie on Feb 13, 2025

Deus Vocatio (Called of God) and the Mission Idea of The Called of God and God's Mission However; The idea of the called of God in systematic theology by Louis Berkhof point it out clear that "Calling precedes or predate regeneration; this mean calling go back to Jeremiah 1:5 that reveals ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 61:1-7

Tags: Potential, Unlock, The Call Of God

Denomination: Pentecostal

America's Sin Of Self-Sufficiency, Citation: ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Nov 1, 2002

[America’s Sin of Self-Sufficiency, Citation: Richard Halverson, "The Question Facing Us," Preaching Today, Tape 46.] In 1863 President Lincoln designated April 30th as a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer. Let me read a portion of his proclamation on that occasion: "It is the duty ...read more

Tags: Christian Values, God's Provision, Political Freedom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational