In Sermon Illustrations: "Joy"

This Is A Fictional Christmas Correspondence ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 20, 2008

This is a fictional Christmas correspondence between Martha Stewart and Erma Bombeck to remind us that Christmas isn’t always picture perfect. Hi Erma, This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to. Since it snowed last night, I got up ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

La Campana Al Gato? — The Bell On The Cat?

Contributed by Fernando Ocampo on Jun 3, 2008

(ENGLISH TRANSLATION FOLLOWS) Había una vez una colonia de ratones que vivía en una cómoda casa. Cierto día apareció un gato viviendo en el mismo lugar que los ratones. Lo cual les causo un gran problema, pues el gato los perseguía a toda hora de día y de noche. Así que los ratones vivían siempre ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian's Passion  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Christian's Passion "Denying Oneself" There is a tale of the great English actor Macready. Macready was once asked by a preacher; "What is the difference between you and me?" You see the actor appeared before crowds night after night proclaiming fiction and people listened with delight. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-37

Tags: Passion, Christian Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Discovered Christmas?  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Have You Discovered Christmas? "But the angel said unto them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2: 10 -11) One of the most beloved ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11, Luke 2:1-15

Tags: Christmas, Creation, New, Visionary

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn One of the greatest messages ever proclaimed was delivered by Jesus Christ and is referred to as the "Sermon on the Mount." His message is as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken. Our Lord opens this message not with a joke, but with the Beatitudes. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Way, O Lord?  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Which Way, O Lord? "This is what the Lord says; 'Stand at the crossroads and look... ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'" Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) The way many people attempt to determine the will of God would make a great new television ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Suffering Boy Given An Extravagant ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

SUFFERING BOY GIVEN AN EXTRAVAGANT GIFT In his book Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them, John Ortberg tells of a young man named John Gilbert. At age five, John was diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic, progressive, debilitating disease. At age 25, the disease finally ...read more

Tags: Sacrifices

Who Was Weak And Who Was Strong?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 27, 2009

WHO WAS WEAK AND WHO WAS STRONG? April 6, 1994 marked the beginning of dark and infamous days for Rwanda, a small country in central Africa. For the next hundred days, up to 800,000 Tutsis were killed by Hutu militia — mostly using clubs and machetes. It was a genocide of monumental proportions, ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Methodist

Margaret's Story  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 24, 2009

MARGARET’S STORY A young woman named Margaret had spent decades battling depression and anxiety that were traced back to a horrible day in school when a Teacher, frustrated with her tardiness, made her stand in front of the room and invited all the students to come up to the board and write ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Zephaniah 3:17

Tags: Grace, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation, Encouragement, New Life, New Birth  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2009

The Power of Words For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander..." Matthew 15:17-20 In the award winning film The Joy Luck Club, one little girl has the ability "to see the secrets of a chessboard." Her gift enables her to become a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:17-20

Tags: Words

Richard Meyer On Reasons For Our Lack Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 1, 2009

Richard Meyer on Reasons for Our Lack of Prayer C. Richard Meyer gave three reasons for our lack of prayer in his chapter on praying for one another, in his book “One Anothering.” 1. First, he said that we don’t pray because we don’t know how to pray. a. And that certainly can be a reason. b. Many ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20

Tags: Prayer General

The Compassion Of Jesus Makes A Funeral A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2010

The Compassion of Jesus Makes a Funeral a Celebration When I was in the 5th grade and we lived above the funeral home in Pawnee, there was no street celebration, no brass band or snare drum or festive umbrellas but the funeral for Rev Sonious’ wife was something to behold. Just months before she ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Funerals Christian

The Case Of Margaret Ault

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 19, 2011

THE CASE OF MARGARET AULT In his book, The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight shares the moving story of Margaret Ault. When Margaret was just about to complete her Ph.D. at Duke, something unexpected -- but quite welcomed -- happened: she fell in love. She went on a date with a man named Hyung Goo Kim, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23

Tags: God Brings Hope

Puzzles And The Christian Life

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 28, 2011

PUZZLES AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE At our traditional family Christmas gathering with Jenny's side of the family, somebody always brings a puzzle (usually 1000 piece) to put together as part of the festivities. Later, Jenny's mom will frame it and put it on the wall in their family room where there ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Closer To The Other Side—joni Eareckson Tada

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2012

"CLOSER TO THE OTHER SIDE"--Joni Eareckson Tada Joni Eareckson Tada is a woman who has experienced a lot of suffering. Paralyzed from the shoulders down after a tragic diving accident as a teenager, Joni often wanted to die instead of working to live and overcome her disabilities. She still lives ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Tags: Heaven

The Orphan Train

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

THE ORPHAN TRAIN In the history of the westward migration in the United States, part of the story has been largely passed over. From 1850 to 1930, tens of thousands of those who populated the west were orphans--children from eastern cities who were without parents because of disease or the death ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18

Tags: Adoption, Rebirth, Orphan, Train

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving Forward For Christ

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 30, 2018

*The early church kept moving ahead. And we can too! In spite of our enemies, in spite of the setbacks, we can still move forward for the Lord Jesus Christ! *In February of 2007, a deadly tornado struck central Florida. And it smashed almost everything in its path. The storm struck at the worst ...read more

Tags: Overcome, Gospel Advancing

Denomination: Baptist

Great Verses For Following Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 16, 2020

FOLLOWING JESUS. Beside each passage of Scripture, write down what you think that verse is saying about following Jesus in the coming year. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Philippians ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Discipleship, New Year, Following Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revivals In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 20, 2023

A revival is a return to spiritual health after a long period of sin, darkness and apathy. It is a restoration of the soul of an individual, family, church or nation back to right relationship with the Lord. Some of these recorded revivals listed by the author are more evangelism than revival, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6

Tags: Awakenings, Holy Spirit, Revival, Return, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pastor

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 26, 2025

The Pastor A Most Unusual Man (Dedicated to all who have answered the call to preach) The phone rings: another urgent call, but he’s ready, the task to meet; kisses his wife a quick goodbye and hurries down the street. A neighbor watches as he goes, thoughts running through his head: He's ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Proverbs 27:23, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 4:4-16, 2 Timothy 4:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Honor, Preaching, Pastor, Pulpit, Pastor's Appreciation Day, Honor Your Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist