In Sermon Illustrations: "John Ortberg"

When Fighting Ceased In 1918 The Mud Of The ...

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 4, 2006

When fighting ceased in 1918 the mud of the battlefields was allowed to rest and nature began to be restored and before long the wild flowers grew and bloomed including the poppy. The colour of red reminded people of bloodshed and the sacrifice by millions of brave soldiers of their lives. And so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister Became The First ...

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 10, 2007

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister Became The First ...

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to RUN a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the RECORD by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a HISTORIC RACE. As they moved into the LAST LAP, Landy held the LEAD. It looked ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Longer Richer Life: "Married Folks Also Live ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Apr 26, 2002

Longer richer life: “Married folks also live longer and make more money” was the claim made by a CT Today article. Also, “according to a German medical magazine, which reported the results of an insurance company survey, a husband who kisses his wife each day before they separate for work will ...read more

Tags: Marriage General, Romantic Love

Denomination: Evangelical Free

While Visiting In West Berlin I Stopped At ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Klinedinst on Aug 14, 2002

While visiting in West Berlin I stopped at Kennedy Platz, the site of President John F. Kennedy’s famous speech. The tour guide was recalling the climax of that impassioned address -- the part when the President paused and then cried, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" The crowd that day in 1963 was swept up ...read more

Tags: Communication General, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Cup Of Coffee  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 25, 2002

A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE This little grandmother was surprised by her 7 year old grandson one morning. He had made her coffee. She drank what was the worst cup of coffee in her life. When she got to the bottom there were three of those little green army men in the cup. She said, "Honey, what are the ...read more

Tags: Children, Family

No Difference To Me  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jul 17, 2003

NO DIFFERENCE TO ME John G. Paton, a nineteenth-century missionary to the South Seas met opposition to leaving his home in Scotland and going to preach to the cannibalistic people of the New Hebrides Islands. A well-meaning church member moaned to him, “The cannibals, the cannibals! You’ll be ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Know That We're Supposed To Show Our Faith…to ...

Contributed by Greg Buchner on Sep 26, 2004

We know that we’re supposed to show our faith…to trust in God…but we also know that it requires risk to do so. And to risk is dangerous. But to take a step of faith is to risk, and to risk for the sake of Christ, is being Christian. John Wesley once said, “Christian faith is then not only an ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Methodist

Forgiving My Enemy

Contributed by Steve Smith on Aug 28, 2007

ILLUSTRATION: FORGIVING MY ENEMY Ronald Reagan’s attitude after the 1982 attempt on his life made an impression on his daughter, Patti Davis who shared this about that time: “The following day my father said he knew his physical healing was directly dependent on his ability to forgive John ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister Became The First ...

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 28, 2008

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Contrary To Much Emphasis Today In The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

"Contrary to much emphasis today in the evangelical church, true prayer, like true worship, centers on God's glory, not man's needs. True prayer focuses on Thy name, Thy kingdom, Thy will." "We cannot help being exposed to assaults, but we pray that we may not fall and perish under them. The ...read more

Tags: Prayer How To

The Great Bell Called St Ferdinand At Our ...

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 7, 2010

The great bell called St Ferdinand at our diocesan cathedral tolls solemnly several times each month. Many years ago I heard the toll as my father’s casket was slowly pushed out toward its ultimate resting place. Each day the low sound of bells sound from Haiti to Hong Kong, from Reykjavik to ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Makes The Statement

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 10, 2010

Jesus makes the statement “I am the bread of life.” Disbelief sets in on the participants. Even though Jewish tradition and the Talmud had many teachings in Jewish schools on the phrases “eating and drinking” in a metaphorical sense.They criticize His choice of words, they get mad and angry and ...read more

Tags: Lord's Supper

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Large Cattle Ranches In Oklahoma And The ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Sep 13, 2010

The large cattle ranches in Oklahoma and the southern plains use wooden fence posts instead of metal "T posts" because of the constant wind. After a while the constant pressure from the wind bends the metal posts. The wooden fence posts are able to endure the force and remain upright. Properly ...read more

Tags: Stress

Denomination: Nazarene

J. I. Packer On The Goal Of Theology  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

J. I. PACKER ON THE GOAL OF THEOLOGY 'And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent' (John 17:3) The well known Christian author, Jim Packer, lectures in systematic theology at Regent's College in Vancouver. One of his former students says ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Tags: Worship General

Warren Wiersbe On True Worship  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2011

WARREN WIERSBE ON TRUE WORSHIP Warren Wiersbe, in his book on True Worship, says, "We must beware of trying to get chummy with God. I know the apostle John leaned on the bosom of Jesus in the Upper Room; but he fell at the feet of Jesus when he beheld Him in His sovereign glory (Revelation 1:17)." ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Tags: Worship Definition

A Bankrupt Nation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 8, 2011

A BANKRUPT NATION John MacArthur in his book “Can God Bless America” states that "America wants God's blessing but not God. Our nation has systematically pushed Him out of the national consciousness--rejecting biblical morality, ignoring His Word, and relying on the political and entertainment ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: America

Do You Have An Awareness Of Sin?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 26, 2012

DO YOU HAVE AN AWARENESS OF SIN? John MacArthur: A basic mark of true spirituality is a deep awareness of sin. In Scripture those who most despised their sinfulness were often those who were the most spiritual. Paul said he was the chief of sinners. Peter said to Jesus, "Depart from me, for I ...read more

Tags: Lies, Death, Sin, Deception, Sanctification  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Can Witness, But We Cannot Convert

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

We may use all means, by but we cannot command success. We may teach, but we cannot convert. We may show those around us the bread and water of life, but we cannot make them eat and drink it. We may point out the way to eternal life, but we cannot make others walk in it. ‘It is the Spirit that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Evangelism, Family, Witnessing, Unbelief, Straying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Funeral Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

I love that scene in The Pilgrim's Progress where Christian and Hopeful come to the final river of death. They are fearful that the water will be over their heads. But Hopeful goes first and calls back to Christian, “Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom, and it is good.” For every ...read more

Tags: Death, Heaven, Promises Of God, Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational