In Sermon Illustrations: "Life Struggles" showing 2,321-2,340 of 12,197

In The Ice Age Movies A Squirrel Is On A Neve...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 5, 2015

In the Ice Age movies a squirrel is on a never ending quest for the acorn. He tries and he tries to get that acorn, and meets with a variety of misadventures along the way. He never succeeds in getting the acorn. In one of these movies, the squirrel has a "near death" experience, and finds himself ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

Tags: Heaven, Alien, Better Life, Better Home, Temporary Home  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Renewed Like The Eagle  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 24, 2016

RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE When the Psalmist mentions the renewal of the eagle, he may be referring to the "molting process" in an eagle’s life. As eagles age, their beaks and talons become encrusted with calcium. Thus, neither is as sharp as they once were. When this happens the aging eagle cannot ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Tags: Eagle, Crucified Life, Waiting On God, Lie, Revival, Renewal  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Managing Time

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 30, 2018

No matter what changes, no matter how much changes, TIME remains the same. And even though we know that, we never seem to have enough time. Consider the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon. Calvin says to Hobbes, "God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:4-6

Tags: Investing Your Life, Spending Time Wisely, Time Management

Denomination: Christian Church

The Easy Yoke

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

A yoke was a wooden frame which was put on the backs of animals and around their necks joining the two animals for a common task, such as plowing or pulling a load. If you were yoked with Jesus Christ, who do you think would "pull the load"? Obviously the Lord. And so in order to manifest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Discipleship, Beatitudes, Christian Life, Surrender, Yoke, Following Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is It A Weight Or A Wing?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

“The race of the Christian life is not fought well or run well by asking, "what's wrong with this or that?" but by asking, "is it in the way of greater faith, greater love, and greater purity? Not: “Is it a sin?” But: “Does it help me run the race! Is it in the way? ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Purity, Christian Life, Running The Race, Habits, Weights, Hindrances  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Excess Baggage

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

In 1845, the ill-fated Franklin Expedition sailed from England to find a passage across the Arctic Ocean.The crew loaded their two sailing ships with a lot of things they didn't need: a 1,200-volume library, fine china, crystal goblets, and sterling silverware for each officer with his initials ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-4, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Vision, Worldliness, Spiritual Victory, Habits, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful It is a well-known fact that a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. The butterfly can truthfully say as he looks at the caterpillar, "Such was I, but now I am changed." Every Christian has once been a sinner, living for self and the momentary pleasures ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:7-11

Tags: Resurrection, Salvation, New Life, Born Again, Christian Witness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Died Before We Came Here

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

When James Calvert went as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the captain of the ship sought to turn him back, crying out “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages” Calvert only replied, “We died before we came here.” In ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:1-11

Tags: Discipleship, Missions, Christian Life, Dying To Self, Crucified With Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Incredible Symbol Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Gordon Brownville's Symbols of the Holy Spirit tells about the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first to discover the magnetic meridian of the North Pole and to discover the South Pole. On one of his trips, Amundsen took a homing pigeon with him. When he had finally reached the top ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Acts, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Here To Live, Not To Just Make A Living.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2024

In 1923 a very important meeting was held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Attending this meeting were nine of the world's most successful financiers: Charles Schwab, steel magnate: Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company: Howard Hopson , president of the largest gas ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Death, Money, Wealth, Greed, Life, Riches, Suicide, Fame  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fiddler On The Roof  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 28, 2002

[Fiddler on the Roof] Tevye: "Golde, I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter, Hodel." Golde: "What? He’s poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!" Tevye: "He’s a good man, Golde. I like him. And what’s more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him. So what ...read more

Tags: Love, Marriage, Marriage Commitment, Patience, Perseverance, Longsuffering, Struggles, Steadfastness, Romantic Love, Fiddler On The Roof, Conflict, Divorce, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I Can Remember My Cousin Jenny As A Joyful, ...  PRO

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jul 29, 2007

I can remember my cousin Jenny as a joyful, delighted-with-life little girl who wasn’t like the rest of us, but could make the grumpiest of grumps smile because her love of life and underlying happiness was so infectious. The message here is that all of us have opportunity to give sacrificially to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1, 1 Corinthians 13:5

Tags: Love, Worship, Give, Life, Thanks, Life Situations, Always, Giving Yourself, Ups And Downs, End Of The World, End Times, Eschatology, Last Days, Guidance, Hypocrite, Impossible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience Makes It Happen

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 12, 2023

"The history books are full of stories of gifted persons whose talents were overlooked by a procession of people until someone believed in them. To name a few ... "Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read". Einstein became one of the greatest ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Long Suffering, Flesh Vs Spirit, Endurance, Patience, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Someone Once Said…"I Made 6 Resolutions Last ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Jan 6, 2003

Someone once said…”I made 6 resolutions last year and I kept them all Year long. They are in an ...read more

Tags: Decision, New Year, New Life, New Year's Day, Resolution  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Enriching Every Sphere" By Henry G. Bosch From ...  PRO

Contributed by Ron Newton on Aug 6, 2003

"Enriching Every Sphere" by Henry G. Bosch from Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations Signs of The Times, Assurance Publishers Illus... #2679 “Enriching Every Sphere” "Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ’s 3-year ministry ...read more

Tags: Teaching, Mentor, Jesus Teachings, Jesus' Ministry, Jesus Life, Instruct  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Holiness

Courage Is Fear That Has Said Its Prayers – ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on May 29, 2001

Courage is fear that has said its ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, Endurance, Excuses, Better, Life, Worth, Prayer Supplication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

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

James Calvert (1813-1892) Was A Zealous ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 7, 2002

James Calvert (1813-1892) was a zealous missionary to cannibals on the Fiji Islands. His faithful work bore fruit in the lives of those accustomed to taking the life of others. Years later and English earl visited the Fiji Islands and was critical of a chief’s conversion to Christianity. "You’re a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Born Again, Christian Love, New Life, New Creation, Joy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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)

Clinker Bricks  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2010

CLINKER BRICKS Although at times it seems as though the church is in ruin and rubble, God sees it as a beautiful building. Clinker bricks are bricks that did not quite make it. For some reason or another, they come out of the kiln misshapen or deformed. I read about a Presbyterian Church in New ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-21

Tags: Atonement, Redemption, New Life, Born Again, Church Body Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)