In Sermon Illustrations: "James The Less"

Christianstein  PRO

Contributed by Ray Navarro on Dec 7, 2001

It was a dark and stormy night. You could hear the thunder in the distance. Bats flapped their wings in the darkness of the night. There the castle stood. The wolves were howling; the trees were swaying in the wind as it whistled. And inside the castle, a faint light shown…from a ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-9, James 5:7-9, Luke 9:28-62, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: Family, Misconceptions, Patience, Restore, Inclusive, Jesus Teachings, Joy, Tithe, Welcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

An Old Scotsman Operated A Little Rowboat For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 2, 2008

An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the old man had carved on one oar the word “faith” and on the other oar the word “works.” Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man, being a well balanced Christian and glad of ...read more

Scripture: James 2:17, James 2:20, Hebrews 11:6, Titus 1:16, Titus 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Works

Healing

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 19, 2019

Frederick Buechner, from Wishful Thinking The Gospels depict Jesus as having spent a surprising amount of time healing people. Although, like the author of Job before him, he specifically rejected the theory that sickness was God's way of getting even with sinners (John 9:1-3), he nonetheless ...read more

Scripture: James 5:14, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 1:33-34

Tags: Healing, Salvation, Power, Prayer, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Angel Appeared At A Faculty Meeting And Told ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 10, 2003

An angel appeared at a faculty meeting and told the dean that in return for his unselfish service, he will be rewarded with his choice of wealth, wisdom, or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects wisdom. "It is done!" the angel said, and then disappeared into a cloud of smoke. All of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:24, James 1:5, Matthew 7:24-26

Tags: Money

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Answered Prayers  PRO

Contributed by Chris Hodges on Jul 28, 2003

An unknown confederate soldier wrote: I asked God 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 happy I was given poverty ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection Of The Dead  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 26, 2003

The Resurrection of the Dead Avijah Powers felt moderately sure nobody would recognize him when he registered under an assumed name at the little inn. It was more than twenty years since he had left the town--a hard, reckless boy, running away from a good father and a devoted mother because he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, James 1:9-11

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Roll-Up-Your-Shirt-Sleeves Christianity  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2009

ROLL-UP-YOUR-SHIRT-SLEEVES CHRISTIANITY When DAVE THOMAS died in early 2002, he left behind more than just thousands of Wendy’s restaurants. He also left a legacy of being a practical, hard-working man who was respected for his down-to-earth values. Among the pieces of good advice that have ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Luke 10:1-10, Romans 15:1-13

Tags: Faith Vs. Works

Temporary Castles  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 28, 2011

TEMPORARY CASTLES "A little boy is on the beach. On his knees he scoops and packs the sand with plastic shovels into a bright red bucket. Then he upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it. And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created. "All afternoon he will work. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17, Luke 12:15-21, Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Tags: Death

Doubting (Enter Your Name)

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 30, 2011

DOUBTING (ENTER YOUR NAME) The most famous doubter of all time is Thomas. Through history Judas has been the only disciple criticized more than Thomas. Tradition has given him a new name: "Doubting Thomas." He wanted proof that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. But can you blame him? When the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:6-8, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23

Tags: Faith, Doubt, Prayer

Denomination: Baptist

Refining Sap To Maple Syrup  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

REFINING SAP TO MAPLE SYRUP Dr. David Osborn at Denver Seminary says, "Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while He is using our circumstances to change us." (Compass, April 2003) You see, God is right now in the process of making us like Christ. Think of the process of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 13:1-6, Psalm 34:15-16

Tags: Sanctification

Sending The Very Best  PRO

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 18, 2011

SENDING THE VERY BEST Someone has composed the following list of "Cards You'll Never See at Hallmark": "Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder.... What was I thinking?!" "I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love.... After having ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-25, Philippians 1:3-30, Matthew 25:31-46

Tags: Joy, Friendship General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Angels Of Reconciliation  PRO

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 26, 2012

ANGELS OF RECONCILIATION With his life in disarray, Steven Lavaggi sat on his bedroom’s wooden floor, and began searching his Bible for answers. His wife had just left him to marry a writer for The Rolling Stone Magazine. Ten days later, Steven discovered his son was stricken with Juvenile ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17, James 2:15-20

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Methodist

Unforgettable Bombs - All We Can Do Is Pray?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Sep 30, 2019

Elmer Bendiner, a crewmember in a World War II B-17 bomber, the Tondalayo, was barraged by flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. That was not unusual, but on this particular occasion, the gas tanks were hit. Later Elmer reflected on the miracle of a 20 mm shell piercing the fuel tank without touching ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11, James 5:15, Psalm 34:15

Tags: Prayer, Power In Prayer, Intersession, Watchman Prayer

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Obstaculice La Oración

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 19, 2020

No obstaculice la oración. Aquellos que viven sin rezar en el mundo, viven sin Dios en sus vidas. "Derrama tu ira sobre las naciones que no te reconocen, sobre los pueblos que no invocan tu nombre." (Jeremías 10:25). Restringir la oración es peor que no rezar. Las segundas ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:4-5, James 3:8, Psalm 60:11

Tags: Prayer, Oracion, Obstaculice

Denomination: Pentecostal

Huwag Hadlangan Ang Panalangin

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 19, 2020

Huwag hadlangan ang panalangin. Ang mga nabubuhay nang walang pagdarasal sa mundo, nabubuhay nang walang Diyos sa kanilang buhay. "Ibuhos mo ang iyong galit sa mga bansa na hindi ka nakikilala, sa mga bayan na hindi tumatawag sa iyong pangalan." (Jeremias 10:25). Ang paghihigpit ng ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:4-5, James 3:8, Psalm 60:11

Tags: Faith, Prayer, Words, Tongue, Hinder Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fix The Dishwasher

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

A Mother and her son were talking. His mother lived for nearly 94 years. One day around her 90th year she said something like, "If I had known I would live this long, I would have fixed the dishwasher." It had stopped working. So there it sat quietly waiting to be fixed. She thought it ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7, Isaiah 64:4, Exodus 14:15

Tags: Fix Our Problem, Now Is The Time

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Real Growth

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 9, 2021

Take note of what JUAN CARLOS ORTEZ penned in “LIVING WITH JESUS TODAY” WE HAVE A PHENOMENON IN THE CHURCH TODAY WHICH I CALL “ETERNAL BABYHOOD OF THE BELIEVER.” WE HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH WHO AFTER YEARS OF HEARING MESSAGES ARE JUST THE SAME. THEY CONTINUALLY NEED A MINISTER TO KEEP AFTER ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5, 2 Peter 3:18

Tags: Babyhood, Growth, Immaturity

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wanting Without Knowing

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 1, 2022

. As my two sons were climbing into the back seat of our car, Eric, five, yelled, “I call the left side!” That didn’t sit well with Ron, four. “No, I want the left side!” “I want the left side!” “No, I want the left side!” Intervening, I said, “Since Eric is older, he can ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3, 1 Kings 21:1-29

Tags: Ego, Fighting, Wanting, Quarreling, Desiring, Covet, Pride, Winning  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Epiphany On Generosity

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Jun 23, 2023

I recently drove my adult son to the airport for a trip he was taking with some friends. He lives in Arkansas but was flying out of DFW, so he drove to our home in Denison to spend a little time with us. While he was gone I drove his car a few times just to make sure it was running well. I guess ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7, James 1:17

Tags: Generous, Steward, Giving, Stewardship, Give, Generosity, Selflessness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

Lead us not into temptation! A driver tucked this note under the windshield wiper of his automobile for a police officer to read. "I've circled the block for 20 minutes. I'm late for an appointment, and if I don't park here, I'll lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Test, Police Officers, Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Temptation, Trial, Faith, Forgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational