In Sermon Illustrations: "I Am That I Am"

Testing The Genuine

Contributed by Joel Sumagaysay on Mar 19, 2013

TESTING THE GENUINE All sorts of things are tested to prove that they are genuine. When you go to a bank and give a $20 bill to the cashier, she holds it to a special light. Why would she do that? Because she is testing it to make sure it is genuine. During the time when the Philippines was not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Tags: Faith, Truth, Testing, Miscellaneous

Denomination: Baptist

Conquering Ourselves  PRO

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Jul 15, 2013

Edmund Hilary the first man who conquered Mount Everest was asked by an interviewer about his passions for climbing mountains. He gave this reply: "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." Peter the Great of Russia is quoted as saying, "I have been able to conquer an empire, but I have ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:28

Tags: Self-Control, Self-Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In A Recent Book, Presidential Praise: Our Pr...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 30, 2015

In a recent book, Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns authors C. Edward Spann and Michael E. Williams Sr. note that the title of President George W. Bush’s autobiography, A Charge to Keep, was drawn from Charles Wesley’s hymn. 
The choice of this title is but one indication of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Tags: Charge, Charged Up To Preach

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Adam Used To Live

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 18, 2017

Adam and his two sons, Cain and Abel, were out hunting one day when Adam turned and started staring at something beautiful afar off. It was the Garden of Eden. Then Adam broke down and starting weeping. The boys didn’t understand. Finally, Abel asked his father, "Dad, why are you crying over ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12

Tags: Marriage, Sin, Adam And Eve, Garden Of Eden

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pure Love Brings Joy

Contributed by Christopher Sweeney on May 19, 2017

Many of you may have experienced this but I have from my two nephews and my time in youth ministry that there are times when you are having the worst days and then a child will run up to you and give you a hug or say I love you and everything goes away. Why, why is it that a hug can help erase the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Love, Joy

Salvation Is About Relationship

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

On May 31, 1975 Jeanie and I were legally married. A record of that translation is documented at Potter County in Amarillo, Texas. Because of that, I can introduce her as my wife. She can sign papers as Jeanie Tow. A legal transaction occurred. But what if that were all there is to our marriage? We ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14, 2 Corinthians 6:1

Tags: Grace, Relationship To God, Love And Faith

Denomination: Charismatic

Monkey Reading The Bible

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 17, 2021

One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the monkey was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's The Origin of Species. In surprise he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books"? "Well," said the monkey, "I just wanted to know if I was my brother's keeper ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:25

Tags: Evolution, Darwin

Denomination: Methodist

The Willingness Of God To Answer Your Prayer

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 8, 2022

"My friend, do you think that God is asleep? Do you feel that He has gone to bed when you pray, and you cannot get Him up? Do you believe that He does not want to answer your prayers? God does want to answer your prayers and He will. That is what this parable is saying. You do not have ...read more

Tags: Prayer, God's Love, Parables, Persistence, God The Father, Importunity, God's Willingness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeking Wisdom

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 21, 2022

I READ A LESSON ABOUT A WISE MAN THAT PEOPLE TRAVELED HUNDREDS OF MILES TO SEEK HIS WISDOM… The wise man stood up, he looked to his left side. Then to his right. He paused and looked at the crowd behind him. He quickly turned around and faced the crowd in front of him. He looked down. He looked ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:28

Tags: Wisdom, Silence

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The 10-10-80 Rule

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 20, 2022

Sir John Templeton is a multi-billionaire, one of the wealthiest men in the world. He’s a dedicated Christian in his nineties. He invented the idea of trust funds in investments and started the Templeton Fund. Someone asked him, “How did you make such enormous wealth?” He said, “From the very start ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10

Tags: Offering, Giving, Tithes

Rationalizing (Justifying)

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 1, 2022

Morris Siegel, the owner of a small Kosher New York deli, was being questioned by an IRS agent about his tax return. He had reported a net profit of $60,000 for the year. Why dont you people leave me alone? the deli owner said. I work like a dog, everyone in my family helps out, the place is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Tags: Honesty, Shrewd, Deceit, Cover Up, Rationalizing, Quick On Feet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bridesmaids - Apperiances Can Be Deciving

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 19, 2025

Beloved ... Appearances can be deceiving. Suppose ... we were to ask the ten Bridesmaids ... to stand in front of us ... in no particular order. Could you pick out the five foolish ones? The Answer of course is: No, ... and neither could I. We could argue about it ... we could all agree, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Tags: Foolish, Bridesmaids, Foolishness

Denomination: Anglican

We Grew Up Founding Our Dreams On The Infinite ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

We grew up founding our dreams on the infinite promise of American advertising. I still believe that one can learn to play the piano by mail ...read more

Tags: Business And Marketplace

A Child Develops Individuality Long Before He ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

A child develops individuality long before he develops taste. I have seen my kid straggle into the kitchen in the morning with outfits that ...read more

Tags: Children

What Is Peace? Is It War? No. Is It Strife? No. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"What is peace? Is it war? No. Is it strife? No. Is it lovely, and gentle, and beautiful, and pleasant, and serene, and joyful? Oh yes Therefore, my ...read more

Tags: Peace

The Word Good Has Many Meanings. For Instance, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The word good has many meanings. For instance, if a man were to shoot his grandmother at a range of 500 yards, I would call him ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

The Late English Writer, Oscar Wilde, Once Said, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

The late English writer, Oscar Wilde, once said, "I can resist anything except temptation!" Wilde is also credited with the insight: "The best ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting, Temptation General

There Are Two Things That Would Cause Me To Step ...

Contributed by Arlyn Shaeffer on Feb 26, 2003

There are two things that would cause me to step away from the ministry. The first one is losing my memory. The second one ...read more

Tags: Aging

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Wayne Gretzge Was Asked How He Scored So Many ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Wayne Gretzge was asked how he scored so many goals…he replied, “I go where the puck is going to be.” He in a ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive

We Get Closer To God As We Get More Intimately ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

We get closer to God as we get more intimately and understandingly acquainted with the things He has created. I know of nothing more ...read more

Tags: Discovery