In Sermon Illustrations: "Isaiah 50 4 9a"

An Observation About Context

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 16, 2020

Context is very important, even in the little things. For example, people have done a lot of damage to Bible verses, stories, doctrines, etc., because they did not or do not consider the context. Someone once remarked that a Bible verse out of its context is like a diamond away from a necklace: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Context, Temptations And Testings

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroines-Esther’s Maidens

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 30, 2022

Introduction: Esther was a Jewish maiden who was selected to become Queen of the Persian Empire. The Book of Esther gives additional information about how she truly lived a dream come true. We’re not told how many girls from the Persian Empire were evaluated, but Esther won the contest and became ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:15-17

Tags: Esther, Mordecai, Fasting, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

[026] A Message From A Poem – Based On Psalm 17

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 9, 2025

[026] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BASED ON PSALM 17 The Psalms are always wonderful. Each one has come from the emotional positions of the writers. They represent worship, praise, request, history, prophecy, and prayer, among other things, such as the great Psalm 119 uplifting the word of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:8-9, Psalm 17:6-7, Psalm 17:15, Psalm 17:12-13

Tags: David, Poetry, Prayers, The Psalms, Song Book, The Apple Of The Eye  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[041] A Message From A Poem – Christ - Our Support In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 1, 2025

[041] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRIST - OUR SUPPORT IN HURT We can pass through stormy seas and feel like those disciples in the boat when calm gave way to anxiety, but Jesus was in the boat resting in peace. The disciples focussed on the conditions and not on the Lord. Is that like us as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 56:11, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16, Mark 4:37-40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Always With You, Hurt, Afraid, Support, Alone, Anxious  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[134]. A Message From A Poem – I Am With You Always

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[134]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS This poem was written in a time of great trial that had been a lengthy one. It is so precious to know the Lord is with us always and never will He sleep or miss something. He knows our end from our beginning. I want to honour God in this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:4-5, Matthew 28:20

Tags: Emmanuel, Jesus, Presence Of Jesus, Delight Yourself In The Lord, Close At Hand, I Am With You Always, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Commit Your Way To The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unwanted Donations!?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 11, 2025

Unwanted Donations!? Introduction: What kinds of materials were needed for Israel to make the Tabernacle? Text, Exodus 36:2-7, KJV: 2 And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 36:2-7

Tags: Tabernacle, Freewill Offerings, Material Offerings

Denomination: Baptist

[252]. A Message From A Poem – The 21st Of December 2020

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 7, 2026

[252]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE 21ST OF DECEMBER 2020 This poem bounces around a bit as we look at the long day, and the daylight, and THE LIGHT. The unending day of salvation also is considered. The anchor is “the longest day” that starts with being saved, and is an everlasting day which ...read more

Scripture: John 3:36, Matthew 5:14, John 9:4-5

Tags: Day, The Light Of The World, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Longest Day Of The Year, Night, Light, Salvation, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In September, 1985, The Camera-Equipped Argo ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2001

In September, 1985, the camera-equipped Argo robot submarine of the USA-France expedition photographed and confirmed the wreckage of the luxury liner Titanic resting 13,120 feet down on the Atlantic ocean floor. In its day, the Titanic was the world’s largest ship, weighing 46,328 tons, 882 1/2 ft ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride

Story: A Korean Pastor Told Me This Story Some ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Sep 1, 2001

Story: A Korean Pastor told me this story some years ago, when he came to Switzerland. In the 4th century AD in Korea a man had two sons. The elder rose to become Chief Justice in the land and the younger became an infamous bandit. The elder brother loved his younger brother but was unable to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Substitute, Peace, Justice, Lordship Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Age Barometer  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 21, 2001

THE AGE BAROMETER Change is a fact of life. The older you are the more change you’ve seen. This morning I have a test called "The Age Barometer". By taking this simple test you can determine how old you really are. Give yourself one point for each item you remember: 1. Blackjack chewing ...read more

Tags: Change

Friends Are People With Whom You Dare To Be ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2001

Friends are people with whom you dare to be yourself. Your soul can be naked with them. They ask you to put on nothing, only to be what you are. They do not want you to be better or worse. When you are with them, you feel as a prisoner feels who has been declared innocent. You do not have to be on ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:10, Philippians 1:21-26

Tags: Follower

Hugging Is The Answer!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2002

HUGGING IS THE ANSWER! Perhaps I feel this way because my wife is affectionately known as "The Happy Hugger." If it’s moving she’ll stop it and hug it, and if it’s not moving she’ll dust it off and sell it! However, there’s another reason I believe hugging is the answer. According to Greg ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Michael Green Writes, "He Can Give The Power We ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

Michael Green writes, “He can give the power we need, and only he. Power for being witnesses to Jesus – is that not needed? Are not many Christians tongue-tied at the thought of speaking to anyone else about their Lord, while others find it second-nature? The difference lies in the Holy Spirit, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Imagine That We Are Putting Together A 1,000 ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 30, 2002

Imagine that we are putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle. In turn we each put pieces into place; slowly the beauty of the picture begins to take shape. As we continue putting the puzzle together we talk about what it would be like to be a part of the scene before us. As the final pieces are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Criticism Is Always Difficult To Accept, But If ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 2, 2002

Criticism is always difficult to accept, but if we receive it with humility and a desire to improve our character it can be very helpful. Only a fool does not profit when he is rebuked for his mistakes. Several years ago I read a helpful article on this subject. It stated that when we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Tags: Humility, Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Turn A Disagreement Into A Feud

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 12, 2001

How to turn a disagreement into a feud: 1. Be sure to develop and maintain a healthy fear of conflict, letting your own feelings build up so you are in an explosive frame of mind. 2. If you must state your concerns, be as vague and general as possible. Then the other person cannot do anything ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Anger, Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Would Christians Choose To Sin Rather Than ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why would Christians choose to sin rather than choose what they know God wants them to do? Four answers are commonly given today. 1. Some would point to Romans 8:16 and explain that Christians who willfully sin have forgotten their true identity as "children of God." While it is true that ...read more

Tags: Sin General, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is No Situation I Can Get Into That God ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

There is no situation I can get into that God cannot get me out. Some years ago when I was learning to fly, my instructor told me to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. I was totally unprepared for what was about to happen. After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Be Kind When You Put Your Mind To It?  PRO

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jan 24, 2003

Can you be kind when you put your mind to it? December 26 is a legal holiday in both Canada and Great Britain. Come on America, join the crowd. Today is "Boxing Day" in some parts of the world. No, it’s not a day to honor George Foreman and his cronies. Rather, it’s a day to show kindness to those ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Giving General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Difference Between A Conviction And A Preference, ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Mar 15, 2003

Difference between a conviction and a preference, according to the U.S. Supreme Court: A preference is a very strong belief, held with great strength. You can give your entire life in a full-time way to the service of the preference, and can also give your entire material wealth in the name of the ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist