In Sermon Illustrations: "Joy"

Swimming With The Sharks

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jul 2, 2011

SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS There's an old story of a rich guy who threw a party at his mansion. One of his pride and joys was his new saltwater pool in which he had the ability to let swim in various specious of ocean fish. He had the party assemble along the edge of the pool as he ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works

There Was Once A Man Who Lived In A Deep ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 17, 2004

There was once a man who lived in a deep valley. It was dark, desolate, cold and foreboding. At the edge of the mountain was a massive mountain, towering into the sky. The man had become so obsessed with the thought of escaping the valley that he finally decided to climb the face of the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:13-14, Nehemiah 3:13-14

Tags: Human Body

Recall Notice  PRO

Contributed by Joseph Bachman on Feb 24, 2005

RECALL NOTICE: The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-20

Tags: Faith, Dumb

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Little Boy Wanted To Meet God.he Knew It Was A ...

Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Sep 9, 2007

A little boy wanted to meet God.He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks,he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Grasping Your Place Greet One ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Grasping Your Place Greet One Another A Necessity in Corporate Worship Christians who get the most out of congregational worship services have learned the joy of greeting their brothers and sisters in Christ. At least four times in the New Testament Christians are told to “Greet one ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:16

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus Christ  PRO

Contributed by Michael Bird on Jan 15, 2002

To the artist He is the One Altogether Lovely. To the architect He is the Chief Cornerstone. To the astronomer He is the Sun of Righteousness. To the baker He is the Living Bread. To the banker He is the Hidden Treasure. To the biologist He is the Life. To the carpenter He is the Sure ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ, Jesus Life, Jesus Teachings, Divinity Of Christ, Trinity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Answer To William Ernest Henley's "Invictus", ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 15, 2002

In answer to William Ernest Henley’s "Invictus", charging that he is the captain of his soul, leaving no room for Christ’s work on the cross, Dorothea Day answers him in her poem, "My Captain". What a great comparison between the heresy of salvation by works and salvation by grace: Out of the ...read more

Into The Day  PRO

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Apr 30, 2002

INTO THE DAY I got up early one morning And rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish I didn’t have time to pray. Troubles just tumbled about me And heavier came each task. Why doesn’t God help me, I wondered, He answered, "You didn’t ask." I tried to come into God’s presence, I ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist

We Don't Have Time For That!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 9, 2002

WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THAT! Typical of last minute Christmas shoppers, a mother was running furiously from store to store. Suddenly she became aware that the pudgy little hand of her three year old son was no longer clutched in hers. In a panic she retraced her steps and found him standing with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Tags: Christmas Advent, Christmas

An Image That Has Stuck With Me For A Long Time ...  PRO

Contributed by James Chandler on Apr 4, 2003

An image that has stuck with me for a long time took place in August of 1999. A group of us were in Jamaica on a mission trip. We were loading up in the bus to go back to the hotel. We would get up the next morning and fly back to the United States. We had spent only a week with the young ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

During World War Ii, A Young Paratrooper, David ...  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Doebler on Apr 16, 2003

During World War II, a young paratrooper, David Webster of E Company, 101st Airborne wrote his mother, “Stop worrying about me. I joined the parachutists to fight. I intend to fight. If necessary, I shall die fighting, but don’t worry about this because no war can be won without young men ...read more

Tags: Cross, God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

The Intensive Care Waiting Room Is A Different ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 3, 2003

"The intensive care waiting room is a different world. No one is a stranger. They help one another. They grieve with one another and shed tears of joy together. There is no distinction of race or class. Vanity and pretense vanish. Everything focuses on the next doctor’s report or the ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Love For God

Denomination: United Methodist

Larry Crabb, In His Book "Shattered Dreams," ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 9, 2004

Larry Crabb, in his book “Shattered Dreams,” (another way of saying letdowns) “Our shattered dreams are never random. They are always a piece in a larger puzzle, a chapter in a larger story. Pain is a tragedy. But it’s never only a tragedy. For the Christian it’s always a necessary mile on the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15, John 10:10

Tags: God In The Hardships, Endurance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Old Gospel Hymn By Annie Johnson Flint Sums Up ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Nov 5, 2006

An old Gospel hymn by Annie Johnson Flint sums up today’s message so well for me: God has not promised skies always blue, Flower strewn pathways all our lives through; God has not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. Refrain But God has promised strength for the ...read more

Tags: Unfailing

Denomination: Methodist

Noel Coward, A Well Known British Playwright And ...

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Nov 16, 2006

Noel Coward, a well known British playwright and comedian in the 20th century, once played a prank on ten famous men in London. He sent each of these distinguished men the same note which read: “We know what you have done. If you don’t want to be exposed, leave town.” Within six months all ten ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When I Was Young, My Grandfather Was Plowing With ...

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

When I was young, my grandfather was plowing with a team of oxen. One was a huge ox and the other a very small bullock. That ox towered over the little bullock that was sharing the work with him. It seemed such a silly picture, and I asked my dad about it. He said, "I want you to notice something. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

6588 I Thank ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 14, 2008

6588 I Thank Thee O Thou whose bounty fills my cup, With every blessing meet! I give Thee thanks for every drop— The bitter and the sweet. I praise Thee for the desert road, And for the riverside; For all Thy goodness hath bestowed, And all Thy grace denied. I thank Thee for both smile and ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Other

A ...

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Jan 16, 2009

Absence A strange silence I have never heard As I walk a path alone, An unfamiliar moment When I realize you are gone. As I look around to notice That the roads have all been changed For there’s one that now is fading At a place I called your name. So I must go on without you With the memories ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14

Tags: Time

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Absence

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Jan 18, 2009

Absence A strange silence I have never heard As I walk a path alone, An unfamiliar moment When I realize you are gone. As I look around to notice That the roads have all been changed For there's one that now is fading At a place I called your name. So I must go on without you With the memories ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14

Tags: Death

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Honor Of Death

Contributed by Mark Eberly on May 27, 2009

HONOR OF DEATH I have had the privilege to be with several people and their families when they have breathed their last breath. It is an incredible privilege to be present for those who make the transition into God’s kingdom. I also count it a privilege and honor to visit with people and their ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Church Of God