In Sermon Illustrations: "Life Is Rough"

Being Persecuted

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

As we live our Christian lives there are a lot of questions that are related to the Christian Life that don't really fall into life and death categories. Questions like: what's your favorite version of the bible? How can I be a better group member? Or the BIG ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION: if a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Tags: Persecution, Suffering

Denomination: Baptist

Goliath Has To Fall

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 6, 2024

Just as the Israelites have accepted that it was impossible to defeat Goliath, who kept on mocking and defying Israelites for 40 days, morning and evening, causing dismay and great fear. So many times we also have accepted that it’s difficult to defeat the Goliath-sized difficulties or prayer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:26

Tags: Faith, Hope

Factor In Fallenness

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

A few years ago, our congregation joined with many churches in the area praying for a 6-year-old boy with extremely aggressive form of brain cancer. Of course, we prayed for a full healing so that the boy could have a long life. He died within 6 months. His parents grew in their faith of a God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Healing, Prayer, Suffering, Fallenness

Denomination: Methodist

Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

I want to remind you of a basic truth of Scripture - the Law of Sowing and Reaping that we read about in Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” I always illustrate this with the same example: if I plant an apple tree, can I expect ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Peace, Sowing, Reaping

Denomination: Methodist

A Rather Pompous-Looking Deacon Was Endeavoring ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Mar 27, 2001

A rather pompous-looking deacon was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. "Why do people call me a Christian?" the man asked. After a moment’s ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Holiness, Apologetics General

Denomination: Baptist

A Rather Pompous-Looking Deacon Was Endeavoring ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 20, 2002

A rather pompous-looking deacon was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. "Why do people call me a Christian?" the man asked. After a moment’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kay Arthur, A Christian Author, Put It This ...  PRO

Contributed by Dean Kennedy on Sep 1, 2002

Kay Arthur, a Christian author, put it this way. If you tolerate sin in your life, that sin will not only take you farther than you wanted to go, it will keep you longer than you ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tolerating Sin  PRO

Contributed by Joel Vicente on May 31, 2003

Kay Arthur, a Christian author, put it this way. If you tolerate sin in your life, that sin will not only take you farther than you wanted to go, it will keep you longer than you wanted ...read more

Tags: Sin Punishment Of, Sin General

Denomination: Baptist

Mary Asked, "Who Will Roll Away The Stone? We ...

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Apr 15, 2004

Mary asked, "Who will roll away the stone? We can’t get to Jesus. It’s impossible! LOOK! the Stone, has been rolled away! Whatever you think will keep you from ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Fire, Light And Power Should Be Alive, Shining ...

Contributed by Tony Abram on Dec 18, 2006

Fire, light and power should be alive, shining and working in every believers live. God wants us to be His living witness in this world. To do so we must be seen by the world reflecting the Love of God. This message deals with the ...read more

Let Others Boast Them As They May, Of Spirits ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Let others boast them as they may, Of spirits kind and true, Whose gentle words and loving smiles Have cheerd them on life through; And though they count of friends a host, To bless the paths they've ...read more

Tags: Compassion

Lives Of Great Men All Remind Us We Can Make ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints that perhaps another, Sailing oer lifes solemn main, ...read more

Tags: Human Body

The Freedom To Choose Can Be Very Stimulating ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The freedom to choose can be very stimulating for us indeed, without it, life would be dull and uninteresting. The right to choose, or free will if you like, is a precious gift and we can easily lose it by letting ...read more

Tags: Truth

Loyalty To Jesus

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jan 19, 2010

LOYALTY TO JESUS "One's loyalty to Jesus must come before his loyalty to his family or even to life itself." Source: John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Editors, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Tags: Disciples, Devotion, Loyalty, Priorities, Idolatry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Evidence Of God's Gracious Dealing To ...

Contributed by Jesse Roncales on Mar 4, 2010

A little evidence of God's gracious dealing to men is shown in the wonders and order of natures. Our very own planet has a balance atmosphere. It is made up of 78% Nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, and 1% lots of other ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Salvation Without Surrender  PRO

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Feb 18, 2013

NO SALVATION WITHOUT SURRENDER So in case some left it out or forgot to mention it when they explained what it meant to be a Christian, let me be clear: There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no life ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18, Luke 9:24

Tags: Commitment, Surrender, Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hunting Mice

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2014

HUNTING MICE It is amazing how we can focus on things that don’t matter and neglect the most important things in life. We need to learn how to choose our battles better. Leonard Ravenhill said it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:32-33

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Priorities, Little Things

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Rather Pompous-Looking Deacon Was Trying ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

ILL.- A rather pompous-looking deacon was trying to impress a class of boys with the importance of living the Christian life. "Why do people call me a Christian?" the man asked. After a moment’s ...read more

Tags: Faith

John Piper Says That Sin …"Gets Its Power By ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

John Piper says that sin …"gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be more happy if I follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier." ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting

Phillips Brooks' Short Poem Captures The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Phillips Brooks’ short poem captures the essence, depth, and wisdom of the resurrection truth: Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection