In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Paid Our Debt"

I Am Reminded Of Archimedes, The Ancient Greek ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

I am reminded of Archimedes, the ancient Greek scientist who discovered the value of leverage. As he was enamored with his fulcrum, he was said to have proclaimed, “Give me a place to stand and I’ll move the whole world.” Beloved, God, our Rock, IS that place to stand. Indeed, if we can handle the ...read more

Tags: Strength

Denomination: *other

Boredom At The Biltmore

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 6, 2009

BOREDOM AT THE BILTMORE Have you ever been to the Biltmore House? It’s a fantastic place. No other home like it in America. I’ve been there many times. Over the years we’ve taken several guests to tour. At first we noticed new things and really enjoyed it. Then we began to hear ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

Denomination: Wesleyan

Adopted By Grace

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 10, 2010

ADOPTED BY GRACE I have three daughters. Oh the cats that we took from the pound. They are in cat heaven! But they could have been left at the pound, except that we DECIDED to take them because we WANTED to love them. There was nothing those kittens could do to make me love them! ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Baptist

Mother Teresa Once Said, "Joy Is Prayer - Joy Is ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 6, 2012

Mother Teresa once said, "Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. ...She gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and the people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Nazarene

Something For Stevie  PRO

Contributed by Alan Braun on Mar 22, 2002

Titled: Something for Stevie I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn’t sure I wanted one. I wasn’t sure how my customers would react ...read more

Tags: Joy, Forgiveness General, Name

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jan 21, 2025

In 1988 at the Democratic National Convention the Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a speech called “Common Ground” in which he challenged us to never give in to demagoguery. He said, Don't you surrender and don't you give up. Don't surrender and don't give up! Why cannot I challenge you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7

Tags: Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson

Denomination: Baptist

The Devastating Power Of Criticism

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

"Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated." - Author Unknown I know a number of people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the criticism of others. For some, it was being cruelly taunted at school by their peers, for others, a close family member who criticized or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Criticism, Judgemental, Evil Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

The Lost Art Of Saying Thank You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy - because we will always want to have something else or something more.” - David Steindl-Rast Everyone likes to feel appreciated. I remember a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:17

Tags: Thanks, Unthankfulness, Gifts

Denomination: Charismatic

[085]. A Message From A Poem – For All Christians - The Three Ps

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 21, 2025

[085]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - THE THREE Ps There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the first one in the second set ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 47:5-7, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12:11-12, Psalm 57:7-9

Tags: Vital Links, Praise, Prayer, Patience, Poetry, Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[126]. A Message From A Poem – Heaven Opens To Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 11, 2025

[126]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HEAVEN OPENS TO US From a quick recollection heaven will open at least three times in the future (written by one who is still living). One of those will be the Rapture. One will be the Second Coming. The other one is when a saint passes from this life and into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Heaven, Open, Absent From The Body, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are Fearfully And Wonderfully Made!

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 25, 2025

First in vs. 13, "LORD, You formed me." Or as David said: "You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb." *LORD, YOU formed me. James Merritt explained that David knew we are a physical miracle created by the power of God. . . David was saying, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Fearfully Made, God's Omnipotence, Wonderfully Made, Nathan The Prophet, Solomon's Temple, Mother's Womb, Light, Darkness, Omniscience, Omnipresence, God's Presence, King David, Creation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Break Ranks: Four Biblical Keys To Keeping Unity Alive

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 13, 2026

I’m starting a new study this week from a dark period in the history of Old Testament Israel. After the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon — a season in which Israel experienced a good deal of success and influence — the nation does something tragic: it divides. What follows is a troubled and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3, 1 Peter 3:8

Tags: Compassion, Humility, Unity, Sympathy

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[352]. A Message From A Poem – Written On The Train

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 23, 2026

[352]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – WRITTEN ON THE TRAIN I was undertaking a drive of 1 800 km and had gone about 150 km from home when I had an accident. The vehicle limped badly for another 950 km where I had to leave it for repairs and return home. The return trip was about 1 100 km and was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:9-10, Psalm 31:10-14, Romans 5:3-5

Tags: Life, Tribulation, Sorrow, Accident, Rejoicing, Train, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Twinkies And Root Beer - Unknown ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Buchner on May 23, 2005

[Illustration – Twinkies and Root Beer - unknown source] A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Methodist

The Eternal Kiss! (06.08.05--Family--Gen. ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 6, 2005

The Eternal Kiss! (06.08.05--Family--Gen. 27:33-37) The most powerful institution on earth! No, it’s not the United State Congress or the Supreme Court for that matter. And it isn’t the Presidency, the World Court or the United Nations. Although such institutions are singularly powerful and no one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:33-37

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Lutheran

No Fire Without Heat And Smoke! (06.14.05--The ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 12, 2005

No Fire Without Heat and Smoke! (06.14.05--The Tie That Binds--1 John 4:19) It’s been hot here lately at Beech Springs. It has been unusually hot and humid. The beech woods understory that blankets our little valley are getting crisper under foot daily. The trilliums came and went and are withered ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

Is There Really A God??  PRO

Contributed by Paul Weimeschkirch on Aug 15, 2005

Is There Really A God?? 93 million miles from the blistering surface of the sun hangs the planet earth. A rotating sphere perfectly suspended in the center of the universe. The ultimate creation from an infinite mind. An unbelievable intricate complex design. A supernatural testimony, an ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Tags: Apologetics God

Denomination: Pentecostal

Penguins And Eagles! (09.02.05--Sickness!--Psalm ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 31, 2005

Penguins and Eagles! (09.02.05--Sickness!--Psalm 4:3) Soaring like eagles may sound good, but flopping around like a penguin can be a whole lot easier. Keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground may not always be the most glamorous of occupations, but it sure is safer and more accommodating ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:3

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

Those Nasty Redo's! (10.06.05--Beginning ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 4, 2005

Those Nasty Redo’s! (10.06.05--Beginning Again!--Genesis 16:7-10) Time is one of the most precious commodities that God gives us daily. The time to do things is always limited. And, we need to balance the things we want to do with the things we need to do. Therein is the tension. I start each ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:7-10

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Promises Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

To All The Kids Who Were Born…

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 25, 2006

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930’s 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s! First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, our baby cribs ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational