In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Paid Our Debt"

Divorce Fraud

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 5, 2008

In late July of 2008, this article appeared: KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - An Indian man who took an impersonator to court to get a divorce faces legal action after his real wife found out, lawyers said Friday. Sanjib Saha presented a woman as his wife in a lower court in the eastern city of Kolkata ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My Passion

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Oct 6, 2008

My Passion William Booth once had an audience with King Edward VII of England. His Majesty highly commended the salvationist for his unflagging zeal and wonderful work among the poor. How revealing was Booth's reply to the King's glowing words! He said, "Your Majesty, some men's passion is for ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

First ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

First Fight Three weeks after her wedding day, Joanna called her pastor in hysterics. She was crying, “Pastor, John and I had our first fight together! It was awful. What am I going to do?" The pastor, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head said, "Calm down, Joanna, this isn’t nearly as ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle

This Quote From Tim Keller Is Spot On: "Christmas ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2009

This quote from Tim Keller is spot on: "Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else, because Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you." Do you want to be home for Christmas? Then come home to Christ. You will remain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Tags: Christmas

What We Do Not Know  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW F.B. Meyer once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are three things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. Second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. Thirdly, we also do not know what we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, Acts 9:10-19, Galatians 6:1

Tags: Judgment

God Doesn't Give Trip-Tiks

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

GOD DOESN'T GIVE TRIP-TIKS You remember the AAA Trip-Tiks? You flip page by page and it showed every mile, every hotel you were going to stay at, and every sight you would see. I remember sitting in the back of my parents' car just watching mile after mile go by. And even though I knew what was ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Methodist

The Fingerprints Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2014

THE FINGERPRINTS OF GOD The stars are God's fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of his radiance. The moon is to remind us that he doesn't sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of his wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates his thoroughness with the puniest details. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-5

Tags: Creation, Atheism, Glory Of God, Presence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Worst Boss Ever

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

What if you had a boss that demanded that you check in with him every ten minutes no matter what? What if he required that even if you were in the middle of other important work in your office? What if he demanded that whether you were at the office or at home? What if he required that even if ...read more

Tags: Technology, Busyness, Cell Phone

Denomination: Baptist

Funnnnny Story About Temptation!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

A driver tucked this note under the windshield wiper of his automobile for a police officer to read. "I've circled this 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." When he came back, the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Tests, Trials, Police Officers, Drivers, Sin, Lust, Temptation, Excuses  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Contributed by Garris Hudson 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: Faith, Forgiveness, Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Temptation, Trial, Test, Police Officers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hero's Graves

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on May 27, 2024

Quiet mounds of earth, Erected crosses; So many souls, So many losses. This special day Has been set aside To honor those Who, for us, have died. May we hold dear Every gain and loss, And ne’er forget What’s beneath the cross. Thank you, dear Lord, For the brave who gave— Who now occupy A ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Zechariah 10:5, Judges 6:12, John 15:13

Tags: Independence Day, Heroes, July 4th, Death, Sacrifice, Memorial Day, Soldier, Hero, Grave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Ronald Regan Story - Embaressed And Humbled

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 24, 2026

Ronald Reagan, ... recalling an occasion when he was governor of California ... made a speech in Mexico City: He shared these words: "After I had finished speaking, ... I sat down ...to a rather unenthusiastic applause, ... and I was a little embarrassed. The speaker who followed me ... ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Tags: Humble, Embarrassed

Denomination: Anglican

Artesian Forgiveness!" Matthew 5: 43-48 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 30, 2004

“Artesian Forgiveness!” Matthew 5: 43-48 Key verse(s): 46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Here at Beech Springs one of the things that sets these few acres apart is the artesian well that highlights our front yard. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Kindness

Denomination: Lutheran

Healed But Not Cured!" Hebrews 12: 5-12: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 26, 2004

“Healed But Not Cured!” Hebrews 12: 5-12: Key verse(s): 6 “...because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Sickness! There isn’t a life that hasn’t been touched by it. And, when we count our blessings at the end of the day, we aren’t likely to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-12

Tags: Poverty, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Lutheran

No Rusty Promises In Heaven!" Leviticus 26: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 20, 2005

“No Rusty Promises in Heaven!” Leviticus 26: 40-45 Key verse(s): 45:“But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.” If you are interested in learning about hope, take a walk sometime ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:40-45

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Lutheran

Every Dilemma Has A Silver Blessing

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 4, 2020

For the last several weeks, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself have been enjoying some quiet time in our parsonage. I cannot remember the last time we had such quiet time all to ourselves. One of the blessings of this time is the fact that telemarketers are not calling. In a way, I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15

Tags: Humor, Tipping

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

John Mccain's Personal Account At The Republican ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 6, 2010

John McCain’s Personal Account at the Republican National Convention of Being a POW in Viet Nam I suggest we can learn something from John McCain’s personal testimony segment of his speech. The Republican nominee said: Long ago, something unusual happened to me that taught me the most valuable ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:33

Tags: Patriotism

Leaning Over A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 28, 2012

LEANING OVER A CLIFF Writer Parker Palmer tells of his first experience on an Outward Bound course in his book, The Active Life. He says, "I took the course in my early forties, and in the middle of that course I was asked to confront the thing I had fears about since I had first heard about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Tags: Trust

Everyone Seemed Confident That The Ship Was All ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Nov 3, 2002

Everyone seemed confident that the ship was all right," recalled first-class passenger Henry Sleeper Harper. At last, however, the call came for all passengers to come up on deck wearing their life belts, and soon after midnight, Captain Smith directed crew members to ready the 16 wooden lifeboats ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Sharing Your Faith, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

Undone And Redone! (09.01.05--Sickness!--Psalm ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 30, 2005

Undone and Redone! (09.01.05--Sickness!--Psalm 38:21) Recently I had a crown installed on one of my molars. In the process of doing the work, the dentist created a space between the new crown and a nearby tooth that hadn’t existed before. Now, every time I chewed on that side of my mouth, the food ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 38:21

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Lutheran