In Sermon Illustrations: "Hoping"

Home, Sweet Home

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 14, 2012

HOME, SWEET HOME There was a time during the American Civil War, when the rival armies were encamped on the opposite banks of the Potomac River, the Union's band played one of its patriotic tunes, and the Confederate musicians quickly struck up a melody dear to any Southerner's heart. Then one of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Tags: War

Who Am I?  PRO

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Feb 26, 2013

WHO AM I? The German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, used to love to take long walks of a summer evening, meditating and thinking. On one occasion he was seated in a park when a suspicious policeman noticed that he had been there for several hours. The policeman came up to him and said, "What are you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Tags: Apologetics General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Memorial Day - Never Forget The Cost Of Freedom

Contributed by David Simpson on May 24, 2018

Needless to say, protecting our freedom has come at a great cost. President Franklin Roosevelt said: “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that we all have trouble remembering things, even important ...read more

Tags: The Lords Supper, Freedom, Memorial Day

Denomination: Christian Church

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

In James 5:15, God Promises Us That A Prayer ...

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 26, 2009

In JAMES 5:15, God promises us that a prayer offered in true faith will even make the sick person well. Let’s take that model of prayer and hold it up against the way we pray today. Most of us, being honest, pray something like this: ‘God I want you to make me well.’ And then in the back of our ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered, God Answers Prayer

Denomination: *other

Something Better Down The Road  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 24, 2009

SOMETHING BETTER DOWN THE ROAD A football game was being played in Badger Stadium in 1982 in Madison, Wisconsin with more than 60,000 fans in attendance. The home team was losing. But out of the blue during time outs, when play was a at stop, the fans would jump up and roar with excitement. Why? ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Disappointment

1 Corinthians 13 — Church Version  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 28, 2003

1 Corinthians 13 - church version “If our church could hold services in five languages or our members could speak three, but we didn’t love others, we would be all talk and no action. If our church really expressed it’s spiritual gifts with wholehearted service and we became spiritual giants, but ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1

Tags: Church General, Christian Love

Denomination: Church Of God

In Our Greatest Gift, Henri Nouwen Tells A ...  PRO

Contributed by Corey Arnold on Nov 10, 2003

In Our Greatest Gift, Henri Nouwen tells a parable of faith and hope. He imagines twins–a brother and a sister–talking to each other in their mother’s womb: The sister said to the brother, "I believe there is life after birth." Her brother protested vehemently, "No, no, this is all there is. This ...read more

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Our Greatest Gift, Henri Nouwen Tells A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 26, 2006

In Our Greatest Gift, Henri Nouwen tells a parable of faith and hope. He imagines twins–a brother and a sister–talking to each other in their mother’s womb: The sister said to the brother, "I believe there is life after birth." Her brother protested vehemently, "No, no, this is all there is. This ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Return Good For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

RETURN GOOD FOR EVIL Let me share with you the story of a lesser known man, Rev. John Perkins. He was a black minister in the South "lived through the worst nightmares of the civil rights movement." Perkins started a church, then a Bible Institute, a radio program, followed by a health clinic, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Sermon On The Mount

Deformed Foot Straightened By Long-Term Painful ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 26, 2010

Deformed Foot Straightened by Long-term Painful Pressure In Paul’s life he did face suffering for Christ - Colossians 1:24: "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the Church." None of us ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Tags: God In The Hardships, Discipline

Perfection Achieved  PRO

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 4, 2014

Then Jesus concluded with this commandment. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Wow, now that is a tough one. Be perfect. I am not like Noah, a righteous man. Wait a minute. He was a drunk. Okay like Abraham. He was a liar. How about Moses, short ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Tags: Holiness, Perfection, Finished Work, Christian Maturity

Denomination: Foursquare

Jonah Jones - From Cocaine Trafficker To Christian Counselor

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 27, 2009

*The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will see a change in our lives. *Jonah Jones had a terrible childhood. Jonah’s parents were drug traffickers who introduced him to cocaine when he was 8-years-old. Unbelievable! -- but true. Worse than that, Jonah’s stepfather raped him. His mother abused ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 16:20-25

Tags: Testimonies About Jesus, Testimonies, Changed By Christ

Denomination: Baptist

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

[149]. A Message From A Poem – It’s The Gospel Truth

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 31, 2025

[149]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IT’S THE GOSPEL TRUTH In this poem I use the word “gospel” in a wider sense than the four Gospels. It examines a number of truths from the bible. I am talking about the good news of the gospel. Each of the 8 stanzas has some truth in it from the bible, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-5, Romans 1:16

Tags: Christian Poems, Truth, The Gospel, Gospel Truth, Not Ashamed Of The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Before This Month Began To Prepare Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Kerry Kinchen on Nov 10, 2003

". . . before this month began to prepare our ground against seed-time. In the midst of April we began to set, the weather being then seasonable, which much encouraged us, giving us good hopes of after plenty: the setting season is good till the latter end of May. But it pleased God for our further ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Favor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Colt Mccoy Story

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

THE COLT MCCOY STORY College football experienced a masterpiece national championship game featuring the number one ranked Crimson Tide from Alabama against the undefeated ballers from the University of Texas. The Longhorns, led by their Heisman nominated quarterback Colt McCoy hoped to prove to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags: Father's Day

Embracing God's Grace

Contributed by Rev. Randy Barker on Apr 2, 2025

Title: Embracing God's Grace: A Message of Hope from the Churches of Christ in Christian Union Introduction: Dear Friend, We are delighted to share with you the message of God's grace and the transformative power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In this gospel tract, we will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Grace, Mercy

Denomination: *other

George Hunter Contends That The First ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 17, 2000

George Hunter contends that the first characteristic of a secular person in the modern world is that he or she is ignorant of basic Christianity. It has been said of the Baby Busters, those born between 1963 and 1977 and the first generation to grow up in a postmodern context, that they lack even ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-21

I Am Told That When President Bush Was Governor ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Feb 5, 2001

I am told that when President Bush was governor of Texas he had to deal with a lot of conflict. According to the sources I heard on the news one night in December (I tried to check this our with different sources and was unable to confirm it.) He came into office with a legislature that was in the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-16, Deuteronomy 8:2-15, Deuteronomy 8:1-3, Matthew 2:1-17

Tags: Compassion, Friendship New Friends, Reconciliation, Workplace

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ