In Sermon Illustrations: "intention"

Saint Francis Xavier

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 20, 2024

Saint Francis Xavier: An Example of Indian Missionary Enthusiasm and Cultural Fusion In India, the 16th century Catholic saint Francis Xavier is revered as a symbol of missionary zeal and cross-cultural harmony. One of the earliest Jesuit missionaries, Xavier was born in Spain in 1506, and he and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Mission, Missionary

Denomination: Other

Unintentionally Humorous Texts: "Uh, Don’t Forget The Teacher!”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 24, 2024

Introduction: In Elisha’s day, just after Elijah was taken to Heaven, much of Israel was still deeply committed to Baal-worship, courtesy of Ahab and Jezebel. A large number of Israelites also worshiped the golden calves which Jeroboam I had installed soon after becoming king. In spite of that, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:1-4

Tags: Elisha, Prophets

Denomination: Baptist

Story Of Encouragement  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 29, 2001

Story of Encouragement:   Several months ago when I was seated on the bus at the terminal and going home from work, a woman showed a kindness that up to now I cannot forget. The bus was still not full. I sat on the third row, by the window, on the driver’s side. It was nearly six p.m. but the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Compassion, Hearing God, Kindness, Listen, Servanthood  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Barna On Parenting

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2009

BARNA ON PARENTING George Barna in his book "Revolutionary Parenting" gives us the bad news about the family today -- especially many Christian families: What does God measure? In other words how does God evaluate what is a healthy family and an unhealthy family? Barna states: What does God ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hunger And The Hunt

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Nov 13, 2010

THE HUNGER AND THE HUNT "She was not beautiful but her eyes were magnificient. They were piercing and caught the light as jade shards and occasionally as she passed into shadows you could catch glimses of the hunger betrayed in the depths of their opalescent gaze. As the inquisitive marvelled at ...read more

Tags: Desire

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peanut Butter Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 27, 2015

I don’t like peanut butter. Some people get very upset when I tell them that. It’s nothing personal. It’s not a character flaw. I just don’t like it. I don’t even like the smell of it. My mother told me I ate a lot of peanut butter when I was young, so maybe I just reached my limit. My two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Tags: Generosity, Golden Rule, Thoughtfulness, Sympathize

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Misapplied Scriptures: The "Mizpah” Moment

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 17, 2023

Full disclosure: Sermon Central has accepted and posted a complete message on this text and context called “Jacob-His Mizpah Moment”. This illustration is not an abbreviated form of that message, only a brief attempt to post some highlights. In addition, this verse/passage was featured back in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:49

Tags: Jacob, Mizpah, Laban

Denomination: Baptist

Sailing Away  PRO

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Aug 17, 2002

SAILING AWAY A personal testimony. Inspired by His calling, Joel Vicente. ------- I was secure at home when I heard the voice from the Captain exclaim, "Come follow me. Go where I send you. No need to fear. I will be with you." I asked, "But Captain, may I remain here on the shore where it is ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Without Works

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 4, 2009

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS As a Marine Sergeant, there were many times when I helped out the young troops in my charge with various sorts of favors. Sometimes I was the local financial aid officer, assisting a young Marine in between pay days with the money necessary for a car insurance payment. ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Christian Church

The "Broken" Sheepdog And The Shepherd  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2011

THE "BROKEN" SHEEPDOG AND THE SHEPHERD Philip Keller tells a story in his book, Lessons from a Sheep Dog, about how a bedraggled collie named Lassie came into his possession. One day he happened to notice an ad in the paper that simply said: "Border collie to good owner. Currently uncontrollable ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-18

Tags: Parable Lost Sheep

The Story Of Just As I Am

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 17, 2019

On September 22, in 1871, an elderly British lady, 82 years young, was ushered into her heavenly reward. Earlier in her life, in 1835, her frustration at being an invalid left her feeling useless and questioning her very salvation. What she did next would echo through history. As a young woman, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Excuses, Surrender, Rewards, Just As I Am, Hymns  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Misapplied Scriptures: Ezekiel 16:6

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 26, 2023

Introduction: Some folks, perhaps well-meaning, will take a verse completely out of its context in order to use the words for something much different than what was intended. This verse is one that to my knowledge has never been used as the person (L, to protect the identity) said to me many years ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:6

Tags: Misapplied Scriptures, Israel, Blood

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Best Of The ‘best'!" 1 Thessalonians ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 11, 2005

“Making The Best of The ‘Best’!” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 Key verse(s) 15:“According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” “I did my best, really!” With tear-streaked face ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Tags: Peace, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Lutheran

Love Is The Pursuit Of Relationships.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 28, 2014

Love eh, the most excellent way, how do we sum this up. What is the main point I’d like to make about love? Well it’s this, “Love is the pursuit of relationships.” Well what would that look like? Let me tell you about a couple of young men who were born in the same town back early in the last ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Tags: Gain, Relationships, Damage, Family Relationships

Denomination: Salvation Army

Phillip Keller Visited A Potter In Pakistan A...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

Phillip Keller visited a potter in Pakistan and gained the most understanding ever of the meaning found in "Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven." The words of the prophet came to mind: "Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words" (Jer. 18:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Tags: Lord's Prayer

The Price Of A Miracle  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Mar 24, 2003

THE PRICE OF A MIRACLE Let me tell you about Tess. Tess was a precocious eight-year-old little girl. One day she heard her mom and dad talking in a serious and somber tone about her little brother, Andrew. Tess didn’t understand everything that they were saying, but she got the gist: Her little ...read more

Tags: Change, Character, Giving General, Excitement, Joy, Miracles, Wonder, Sanctification  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Too Late To Hide

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Dec 31, 2015

It’s Too Late to Hide I first noticed him as he shuffled past me while making his way through the crowd of excited children swarming around the room at the school for deaf and blind children outside Saigon, Vietnam. He moved slow, but steady. His arms and legs were twisted and drawn in such a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15-16

Tags: Blessings In Christ, Accepted By Grace, Acceptance In Christ

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Truly Amazing Grace

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Timothy Paul Jones in his book, Proof writes about his middle daughter who had been previously adopted by another family. He was sure this couple had the best of intentions, but they never quite integrated the adopted child into their family of biological children. For one reason or another, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Tags: Grace, Sin, Chosen, Rebellion, Adoption  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Weak Will Shame The Wise

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Jun 19, 2008

THE WEAK WILL SHAME THE WISE We have to come to the realization that life is much more than brokenness. According to God’s word, we are vessels of honor which contain the power and glory of the Christ. I, too, have had a problem with such thinking throughout the years. How can I, a vessel of honor ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:21

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: *other

Listen To These Words Of A Taxicab Driver: ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 23, 2001

Listen to these words of a taxicab driver: Because I drive the night shift, my cab often becomes a moving confessional. Passengers climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity, & tell me about their lives. I encounter people whose lives amaze me, ennoble me, make me laugh & sometimes weep. But ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-5

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ