In Sermon Illustrations: "Isaiah 50 4 9a"

Hand Motions For The 10 Commandments  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 10, 2016

HAND MOTIONS FOR THE 10 COMMANDMENTS Here are some easy to learn hand motions I have learned as I started my new teaching series on the Ten Commandments ("The Big Ten"). I believe it will help you and your church family remember the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20: COMMANDMENT #1 You shall have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Tags: Exodus, Ten Commandments, Memorizing The Word

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Helping Open A Package

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 9, 2020

Some years back I noticed a male co-worker, trying to open a package of a certain candy product for his significant other. Now, we all understand the need for security in packaging and other things, but this package was sealed above and beyond the call of duty! Most of the time, each package would ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Tags: Help, Kindness, Assisting Others

Denomination: Baptist

At What Age Should A Pastor Retire?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 3, 2020

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD A PASTOR RETIRE? TEN DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS There are a lot of Baby Boomer pastors and Christian leaders around. And it’s cliché, but they aren’t getting any younger. It’s a quiet question that many are asking, but they are asking it nonetheless: What age should I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1-3

Tags: Retirement, Aging, Pastors, Missionaries, Paul And Timothy, Baby Boomers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tribute To Fathers In The Bible

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 9, 2020

Introduction: with the exception of Adam, who was created; and Jesus Himself, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, every man in the Bible had a father. That some were good and others were evil is clear, and it would be nearly impossible to list every father and son in the Bible. The Books of Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: Father's Day, Fathers, Raising Children

Denomination: Baptist

Thanksgiving Turkey

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Jun 19, 2020

We are celebrating this week; its Thanksgiving in our Country. I hope Americans truly understand why we have this great country and where the many blessings come from. I hope we are giving to God what is God's. 91% of Americans have turkey for Dinner. And so... I was thinking about Butterball ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:3

Tags: Turkeys, Cooking

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Reprove An Erring Brother, Do Not Reproach Him

Contributed by James Dina on Oct 7, 2020

REPROVE AN ERRING BROTHER, DO NOT REPROACH HIM Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning." (Proverbs 9:8-9) We should have respect ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:8

Tags: Correct In Love, Reprove

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Forgiveness Is Not

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 31, 2021

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT by Dr. Larry Petton (excerpt from my book, "I CAN'T FORGIVE"). Text: Ephesians chapter 4 Ruth Bell Graham described a successful marriage as the "union of two great forgivers." Forgiveness has been described as, “Me not hurting you, because you ...read more

Tags: Forgive Them, Father, Forgiveness, Bitterness, Unforgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pound Of The Eternal

Contributed by David Parks on Jan 14, 2022

A Pound Of The Eternal David E. Parks One of the most compelling quotes I have ever read comes from a book by Charles Swindoll, Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living. Out of the hundreds of books that I have read over the decades, I know of no quote that has as frequently returned to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Tags: Faithfulness, Laodicea, Commitment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leading With Wisdom

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 23, 2023

Leading with Wisdom Nelson Mandela, an icon of leadership, stands as a beacon of inspiration in the annals of history. His remarkable journey from tribal beginnings to global acclaim offers valuable insights into the art of leadership. Unlike many leaders whose legacy is shrouded in varying ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19, Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:28, James 3:17

Tags: Gentle, Peaceable, Learn To Listen, Leadership, Team  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Journey

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

Let’s go back to Wednesday April 13th – I left after the scope with Dr. H. – I was in shock – I walked out to my truck into a severe storm – drove home in the storm! When I got home, I went and sat down in my chair in front of our bay window. I was looking at the raging storm as I sat there looking ...read more

Tags: Dove, Hope, Cancer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[053]. A Message From A Poem – Daniel In The Lion’s Den

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 11, 2025

[053]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN There used to be a chorus when I was young that went this way – Dare to be a Daniel; Dare to stand alone; Dare to have a purpose firm, And dare to make it known. The poem here this time is a very simple one just retelling the story of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:19-22, Psalm 31:15, Acts 22:4, Acts 16:23

Tags: Delivered, Rescued, Daniel, Persecution, Poetry, Poem, Lions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[066]. A Message From A Poem – Easter Thoughts 2024

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 27, 2025

This poem focuses on the Easter Story and covers the crucifixion and the resurrection. Of course the story is not complete without the Lord coming again and the last stanza features that. Each stanza deals with a different feature of the Saviour’s life that passion weekend. God’s love could ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:30-31, John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12, Romans 6:10

Tags: Easter, Crucifixion, It Is Finished, Death Of Christ, Crowned With Thorns, Resurrection, Believe, Salvation, Poetry, Golgotha, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[109]. A Message From A Poem – Groaning Takes Its Toll On Me (Psalm 6)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2025

[109]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GROANING TAKES ITS TOLL ON ME (Psalm 6) This poem is a retelling in poetic form of Psalm 6. We can gather from the Psalm that David was having a dreadful time. This is the beauty of the Psalms, for they cover the whole range of human emotions and failures, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:2-3, Psalm 6:6-8, Psalm 6:9-10

Tags: Christian Poems, Despair, Upset, Weeping, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[118]. Poem Message – He Comes For Me – The Blessed Hope – He Comes For Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 2, 2025

[118]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE COMES FOR ME – THE BLESSED HOPE – HE COMES FOR ME Those who rightfully look forward with anticipation to the Rapture, know that the Lord is coming FOR THEM INDIVIDUALLY as well as for His Church. This event is known as “the blessed hope”, and it is such a joy ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Tags: The Blessed Hope, The Coming Of The Lord, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Rapture Poem, Come Lord Jesus, The Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

167]. A Message From A Poem – Lazarus Is Dead – But Alive

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 15, 2025

[167]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LAZARUS IS DEAD – BUT ALIVE Here we have a short poem based on the story in John 11 that happened at Bethany. I don’t think there is anything profound in the poem. It is a factual account of the raising of Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha. {{John 11:43-44 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, John 11:43-44

Tags: Death, Resurrection, Lazarus, Lazarus Come Forth, Resurrection Of The Body, Christian Poems, Jesus Raises The Dead  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[239]. A Message From A Poem – Sing To The Greatness Of The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 18, 2025

[239]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SING TO THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD How can I describe this poem? It is a fact and praise poem. I wanted to start the poem with praise, for our God is greatly adored, and has done so much for helpless sinners. The metre used here, 5 - 7 - 5 – 7, gives the poem ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:23-29

Tags: Sing, Greatness Of God, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[243]. A Message From A Poem – God’s Love Is Beyond Compare

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 26, 2025

[243]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD’S LOVE IS BEYOND COMPARE I think this poem emerged from considering the letter to the church as Ephesus written by the Apostle John. The strategic verse there is this – {{Revelation 2:4 “but I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”}} ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4, John 3:16, Romans 5:5, John 5:42

Tags: Christian Poems, Love, First Love, Comparison, The Love Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[250]. A Message From A Poem – Thank You Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 3, 2026

[250]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THANK YOU LORD This is a “Thank You” poem. There is much to thank God for. Should we thank God for our birth that is the start of an eternal relationship in joy, bathed in the love of God? Yes! That is love that God wants to share Himself in so many ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:13, Job 3:1-4

Tags: Thank You Lord, Hope, Life, Word, Giving Thanks, Me, Christian Poetry, Love, Blood, Joy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rembrandt’s Return Of The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I was an art major in undergrad, which means I took more art history classes than any human should be required to sit through. And then, because God has a sense of humor, I spent an entire semester in seminary studying one painting. One. Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son. Paper after paper ...read more

Scripture: James 4:10, Luke 15:20

Tags: Grace, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Story Number One  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 13, 2003

STORY NUMBER ONE Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his lawyer for a good ...read more

Tags: Parenting