In Sermon Illustrations: "Joy In Trials"

Looking At The Door

Contributed by Kevin Humphrey on Mar 12, 2013

LOOKING AT THE DOOR A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. The lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick: "Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this ...read more

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Watchman And His Lamp

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 16, 2025

A watchman was stationed at a railroad level crossing. His duty was simple yet critical: to wave a lantern armed with a light, warning approaching motorists or engineers about an oncoming train. One tragic night, a fatal accident occurred despite his presence. In court, he was asked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14, Colossians 1:27

Tags: Responsibility, Duty, Authentic

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

You've Been Summoned

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 18, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the honor of serving on a jury. It was by no means a noteworthy trial but it was important to the people involved. I felt a great deal of responsibility as the jury deliberated and eventually arrived at a verdict. We all wanted to make the right, fair and just decision ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Testimony, Witnessing, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[145]. A Message From A Poem – In The World But Not Of It

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 27, 2025

[145]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT We are citizens of this world but we are not bound to that, for as Christians, we have a higher citizenship which is in heaven – {{Philippians 3:20 “OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN from which also we eagerly wait for a Saviour, the Lord ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17, Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 11:13-14

Tags: Living In The World, Christian Poems, In The World But Not Of It, Citizens Of The World, Strangers, Heavenly Citizenship, Pilgrims, The World, Exiles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Beginners Guide To Giving Thanks

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Nov 21, 2023

You would think giving thanks would come easily and naturally but, for me and I suppose others, it often times doesn’t. So, with the season of Thanksgiving upon us I thought I’d write this little guide for my benefit and hopefully for yours. Give thanks for the good things This is the easy one. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 106:1

Tags: Thanks, Gratitude, Thanksgiving

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

As Clayton J. Schmit Put It In His Commentary On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 31, 2008

As Clayton J. Schmit put it in his commentary on our text, “The moment of birth is one of unspeakable joy. Yet, if parents stopped to count the cost of taking a child home (which, fortunately, they never do) they might be tempted to turn the gift down. The cost of baby food and diapers, sleepless ...read more

Responsibility Comes With The Gift

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY COMES WITH THE GIFT As Clayton J. Schmit put it in his commentary on our text: The moment of birth is one of unspeakable joy. Yet, if parents stopped to count the cost of taking a child home (which, fortunately, they never do) they might be tempted to turn the gift down. The cost ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Rick Warren Notes The Mark Of Spiritual Maturity ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Kern on Jun 30, 2002

Rick Warren notes the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer "takes off the bib and puts on an apron." Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Person Who Has Not Struggled With Difficulty ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The person who has not struggled with difficulty after difficulty cannot know the joy of genuine success. Face the problems and fight your way over them. There is more satisfaction in putting forth effort than in gloating over ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

May The Spirit Of Christmas Ignite In The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"May the spirit of Christmas ignite in the hearts of patriotic Americans a determination to redouble efforts at recapturing control of our national destiny, so that our children and their children may know, as we have known, the joy of true ...read more

Tags: Christmas

In Case You Ever Run Out Of Gift Ideas, Heres A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"In case you ever run out of gift ideas, heres a little tip: give me your laugh. Whether its mischievous, tender, loud, or quiet, simply give me a laugh from ...read more

Tags: Humor

The Person Who Has Not Struggled With Difficulty ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The person who has not struggled with difficulty after difficulty cannot know the joy of genuine success. Face the problems and fight your way over them. There is more satisfaction in putting forth effort than in gloating over ...read more

Tags: Workplace Success

The Heart Is Like A Garden  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 25, 2011

THE HEART IS LIKE A GARDEN John Owen: "The hearts of believers are like gardens, wherein there are not only flowers, but weeds also; and as the former must be watered and cherished, so the latter must be curbed and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23

Tags: Heart

William Borden Was Born In 1887. He Was A Yale ...

Contributed by Bret Toman on Jan 7, 2010

William Borden was born in 1887. He was a Yale graduate and heir to great wealth. But he rejected a life of ease to bring the gospel to muslims. He refused to buy himself even a car and gave away hundreds of thousands of dollars to missions. Then, after only four months of zealous ministry in Egypt ...read more

Tags: Sacrifices, Great Gain

Denomination: Baptist

That Song Your Grace Is Enough, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Illustration: that song Your Grace is Enough, the three Hebrew children, Philip Crosby, in his book March Till They Die, tells of a forced march of American and European soldiers in Korea. In November of 1950, Philip Crosby and his friends, as they passed close to those GI’s who were having a hard ...read more

Tags: Repentance

Dont Sit And Mourn Your Ship Of Dreams That May ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Dont sit and mourn your ship of dreams That may be lost at sea; The world still moves, the sunlight gleams Success is yet to be. Dont waste the years in vain regret For joys that passed you by; ...read more

Tags: God's Sovereign Will

The Christmas Spirit Of Peace, Hope, And Love ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The Christmas spirit of Peace, hope, and love is the spirit Americans carry with them all year round, everywhere we go.The tree that lights up our country must be seen all the way to heavenits lights ...read more

Tags: Christmas

The Man Who Brightens With A Smile When I ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The man who brightens with a smile when I approach him, whose hand grasps mine with cordiality, whose good opinion is a boon and support to me, whose talk, whose very ...read more

Tags: Compassion

He Suffered For Us  PRO

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 29, 2010

Quote: A.W. Pink: "He suffered hell for us so that we can enjoy heaven with Him. He entered the awful Darkness, that I might walk in the Light; He drank the cup of woe that I might ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Brethren

Derek Tidball – Ministry By The Book: New ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 13, 2011

Derek Tidball – Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership: "Peter presents a view of the church where all are priests but some are called to exercise an overseeing role as elders and shepherds, which they do both with ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Salvation Army