In Sermon Illustrations: "Kings"

When Rules Can’t Save

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 27, 2025

The great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy inherited vast wealth and hundreds of serfs. Though he freed them and gave away his book royalties, he was tormented by guilt and could not find peace. He invented endless rules —rise early, eat little, conquer lust —to perfect himself, but slid deeper into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:18-25, Galatians 2:16

Tags: Grace, Freedom, Justification, Sanctification

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

An Observation About A Pair Of Hard Hats

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 15, 2024

Text: 2 Samuel 3:33-34, KJV: 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. Have you seen any roadside memorials? It ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:33-34

Tags: David, Death, Joab, Abner

Denomination: Baptist

[213]. A Message From A Poem – Parable Of The Fence Sitter

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 26, 2025

[213]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PARABLE OF THE FENCE SITTER Uncommitted, disinterested, neutral, indecisive, impartial, indifferent, apathetic – just some English words that describe a person who does not take sides and has no real opinion about anything. When it comes to matters in the world ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2, 1 Kings 18:21

Tags: Impartial, Indecisive, Christian Poems, Sitting On The Fence, Decide For God, A Fence Sitter, Indecision, Indifferent, Uncommitted, Neutral, Apathetic, Disinterested, Decision, Salvation, Conversion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Feb 29, 2016

IN LATE WINTER DURING THE FIFTY-NINTH YEAR of his life, John Donne braved the weather and rough roads of the English countryside to keep his final preaching engagement before the king in London. He had spent most of that winter, what would be his last, battling “consumption,” and on several ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Tags: Death, Dying

Denomination: Baptist

Kay Arthur Writes: If Only… If Only He Had ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 3, 2001

Kay Arthur writes: If only… if only he had known… If only I had known! He had been summoned. What could he do? There was no higher authority to appeal to, no one to mediate. He had been bidden to come – and go he must. Most people looked on him with contempt because of his physical ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Lodebar, Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leslie B. Flynn Told A Delightful Little Story ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Leslie B. Flynn told a delightful little story about how some children worked long and hard on their own little cardboard shack. It was to be a special spot - a clubhouse - where they could meet in solemn assembly or just laugh, play games, and fool around. As they thought long and hard about their ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

National Prayer ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“National Prayer Warrior” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Christmas Gift

Contributed by David Rogers on Dec 15, 2008

The True Christmas Gift Twas the night before the birth, when all the world did not know what was about to happen Not a creature was stirring, and all men were napping The rabbis were safe and secure in their knowledge Old Herod, the king, the Lord he refused to acknowledge King Herod was ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

The Leadership Principles Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 11, 2020

The Leadership Principles of Jesus. • Jesus was willing to invest in people others would have dismissed. (Consider the disciples. They were not the “religious” elite, yet Jesus used them to start His church). • Jesus released responsibility and ownership in a ministry. (Jesus sent the disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 9:23

Tags: Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry Of Jesus, Business Management

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Follow Me

Contributed by Gregory Artz on Feb 17, 2023

Follow Me The United States Army is one of the most powerful forces in the world. The strongest and most trained soldiers in all the world. Each one is a valuable asset in order to have victory over an enemy. Therefore, training requires strict discipline and the ability to follow orders of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Faith, Trust

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Have They Done For You Lately

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

I heard an illustration from Pastor Tony Evans that I altered some to fit us here in Arkansas • We love our Razorbacks, we make time for our Razorbacks • Especially Razorback football • Me and my wife love football • But, have you ever thought about how much time we devote to football? • The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Tags: Razorbacks, Ask, Seek, Knock

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Bible Translation  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 30, 2004

[Illustration] Four ministers were discussing the pros and cons of various Bible translations and paraphrases. Eventually each stated which version, in his opinion, was the best. The first minister said he used the King James because the Old English style is beautiful and produces the most reverent ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One By One

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 21, 2006

Taking today’s problems one by one, instead of diving into the things in this life that concern us tomorrow, is the best way of avoiding have all the troubles in life collapsing on us at the same time. In 480 B.C. the outmanned army of Sparta’s King Leonidas held off the Persian troops of Xerxes by ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:24

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

Singer Sheryl Crow Said Recently, In A New York ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 4, 2007

Singer Sheryl Crow said recently, in a New York Post interview: “I believe in God. I believe in Jesus and Buddha and Mohammed and all those that were enlightened. I wouldn’t say necessarily that I’m a strict Christian. I’m not sure I believe in heaven.” Sheryl Crow is where many people are ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

John Bevere States, "However (Eternity), It's ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 22, 2007

John Bevere states, “However (eternity), it’s not just a matter of ceaseless time, as it is not subject to time. Eternity transcends time. To speak of eternity in terms of merely perpetual duration is to miss the full picture. To capture the best view of eternity, we must look at God Himself. He is ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869–1935) Wrote A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869–1935) wrote a poem about a rich man during the early 1900s, called “Richard Cory”: Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him: He was a gentleman from head to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim. And he was always quietly ...read more

Tags: Humility

Unfaltering Perseverance(Verse 18, Hebrews ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

UNFALTERING PERSEVERANCE(verse 18, Hebrews 12:11) Joshua fought for a long time with the kings. As we read the accounts of the war it may seem short, but in reality, it took Joshua seven years to complete the final conquest. There must have been times during these seven years of fighting that ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Unfaltering Perseverence (Verse 18, Hebrews ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

UNFALTERING PERSEVERENCE (verse 18, Hebrews 12:11) Joshua fought for a long time with the kings. As we read the accounts of the war it may seem short, but in reality, it took Joshua 7 years to complete the final conquest. There must have been times during these seven years of fighting that Joshua ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Unfaltering Perseverance (Verse 18, Hebrews ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Unfaltering Perseverance (verse 18, Hebrews 12:11) Joshua fought for a long time with the kings. As we read the accounts of the war it may seem short, but in reality, it took Joshua seven years to complete the final conquest. There must have been times during these seven years of fighting that ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Joy To All Nations  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2009

To again quote Charles Spurgeon: "It is joy to all nations that Christ is born, the Prince of Peace, the King who rules in righteousness...Beloved, the greatest joy is to those who know Christ as a Saviour...The further you submit yourself to Christ the Lord, the more completely you know Him, the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 9:6, 2 Peter 1:16-21

Tags: Christmas Advent