In Sermon Illustrations: "Living For God"

I Am In A Hurry, But God Isn't!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 5, 2023

The purposes of God often develop slowly because His grand designs are never hurried. The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Endurance, Patience, Forbearance, Fruit Of The Spirit, Waiting On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ten Things To Know About The Love Of God - Devotional

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 12, 2023

There are 10 key points about the Love of God in I John 4:7-21: 1. LOVE IS OF GOD (4:7) - not that God is love only. He is not limited or bound by anything. So, what is love? Study I Corinthians 13...... There are 3 Greek words (agape, phileo, eros). This love is agape, unconditional, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, Romans 5:8, John 3:16

Tags: Evangelism, Love, Christ, Holy Spirit, Missions, Cross, Agape, God's Love, Hate, Unforgiveness, False Prophets, Unbelievers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Call God A Liar With Joy

Contributed by John Allen on Mar 11, 2024

There is a sin committed by many Bible-believing Christians, a sin that borders on the curse of Revelation 22:19, taking away from the words of the Bible. More specifically, it is a common sin of the enemy: Redefining the words of Scripture. What word? Joy. A well-meaning Christian says, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Matthew 13:44

Tags: Happiness, Joy

Son Of Sam Serial Killer Is Now A Servant Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

The story of David Berkowitz, infamously known as the “Son of Sam,” is a remarkable tale of redemption and transformation. 1. Background: In the late 1970s, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City as a serial killer. He shot and killed six young people and wounded seven others during a spree ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Conversion, Redemption, Transformation, Prison Ministry, Saul Of Tarsus, Miracle, Forgiveness, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sovereign God Has Fixed The Time For My Death

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

There is a scene in the Civil War motion picture, "Gods and Generals", that is telling. The movie follows the rise and fall of Civil War hero General Thomas Jackson, and does not try to hide his Christianity. Throughout the picture, Jackson's dependence on God is shown, but never ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:1

Tags: Death, Chosen, Election, Free Will, Calling, Sovereignty Of God, Man's Choice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A.w. Tozer Reconciles The Sovereignty Of God And The Will Of Man

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

A. W. Tozer attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty and man's freewill: An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. On board the liner are scores of ...read more

Tags: Faith, Father, Heaven, Trust, Journey, Sovereignty Of God, Will Of Man, Depending On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Opened An Unexpected Door For Cliff Barrows

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

Dr. James Dobson wrote a book entitled When God Doesn’t Make Sense, and, in his book, he shared an illustration that is very applicable to the point being drawn from this particular verse. Take a moment and reflect upon the following story: In 1945, a young associate pastor named Cliff married his ...read more

Tags: Will Of God, Call To Ministry, Open Doors, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Sermon Reminded Me Of The Peace And Love Of God!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons. "Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!" The pastor was ...read more

Tags: Paul, Preaching, Peace Of God, Eutychus, Love Of God, Preachers, Boring Sermons, Long Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[101]. A Message From A Poem – God Of Small Things

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 8, 2025

[101]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD OF SMALL THINGS Some people like to think big. There is this fallacy that big is better, especially in the American culture. God does not work with big. He uses availability, particularly in His children. I once preached on this topic showing that God uses ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:3, 1 Samuel 15:17, Matthew 14:17-20

Tags: Message, Goliath, Small Things, Small, Pebbles, Five Loaves And Two Fish, Ebedmelech, Poems, Christian Poetry, Molecules, Atoms  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grief: God's Answer To Overwhelming Grief

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

What follows is a true account, which I (Stephen) was fortunate enough to witness firsthand in the spring of 2015. My wife was an only child raised by a single mom, and as such was very close to her mother. Thus, when her mother died after 90 years my wife was severely grief stricken and would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Tags: Death, Prayer, Listen, Grief, Loved One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

How God Fulfils His Promises In Our Life?

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 24, 2025

Every true promise of God passes through the stage of death before its fulfilled. The stage of death- is where we lose all hope, and the fulfilment of the promise looks impossible. The mere thought of the promise becomes burdensome. Sometimes we will forget the fact that we have such a wonderful ...read more

Tags: Faith, Hope

[347]. Poem Message - Wisdom Of This World Is Foolishness With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 12, 2026

[347]. POEM MESSAGE - WISDOM OF THIS WORLD IS FOOLISHNESS WITH GOD There is a huge line of division between God and man; between God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom. Man is dominated by a sinful, fallen nature and his associated human wisdom is absolutely flawed. It is flawed so much that it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Tags: Wisdom, Foolishness, Humanism, Wisdom Of God, Fools, Wisdom Of The World, Christian Poems, The Wisdom Of Men  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[361]. A Message From A Poem – Between God And Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 5, 2026

[361]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BETWEEN GOD AND US The poem has an unusual rhyme scheme, not always easy to write. This poem deals with the Christian’s position before a holy God, but at the same time, a God of love. It covers many aspects of the Christian’s standing, salvation and life. We ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:12-13, Romans 6:4, 1 Peter 1:18-19

Tags: Praise, Testimony, Relationship, Christian Poems, Praise Poem, A Poem Of Rhymes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are We Ready To Do What God Designed Us To Do?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 26, 2004

Are we ready to do what God designed us to do? Some of you may remember back in January I showed you this cordless drill that I had as a gift from my Mother for Christmas. As with gifts that God gives us, I mentioned, at the time, that it would be no point in me having this gift if I didn’t use it. ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will, Knowing God's Will

Ruth Axsom Is A Dear Friend Of Ours And She ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 12, 2002

Ruth Axsom is a dear friend of ours and she relates this true story of her father that I think it illustrates so well what we’ve been discussing this morning. Ruth’s father, Robert Eason was 8 years old when he lost his father, John Eason. It is hard to lose your father at any time but Robert ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Forgiveness, God's Provision

Denomination: Christian Church

The Secret Garden Is A Fascinating Children's ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jun 20, 2009

The Secret Garden is a fascinating children’s classic. It is the story of a British child, Mary Lennox, who lived in India but is orphaned because of her parents’ death due to a cholera breakout. They send her to England to live with her only surviving relative, her uncle who is still mourning the ...read more

Tags: Love For God, Love God

Denomination: Salvation Army

[209]. A Message From A Poem – Our Pilgrim Journey Home

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 23, 2025

[209]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – OUR PILGRIM JOURNEY HOME Here is an explanation – The title of this poem expresses the walk and life of a Christian who lives for a short time in this world and then is called home. There is a slight touch of Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress here. The KJV is the only ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-21, Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11

Tags: Light, Journey, Opposition, Crowd, Strangers, Pilgrims, Sojourners, To Live Is Christ, Aliens  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

F. We Were Made By God, From Out Of The Dust Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

F. We were made by God, from out of the dust of the earth. Gen 2:7 (AMP) Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. 1. Your body contains about: a. Enough iron to make a small nail. b. Enough ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

I Think As Christians We're Not Always Aware Of ...

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Sep 8, 2009

I think as Christians we’re not always aware of all that God has given to us. I think this is one reason why we struggle with feelings of discontent so much. We’re like the lady who saved and saved her money for years until she finally had enough to pay for an expensive cruise. All week, while ...read more

Tags: God's Will, Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Baptist

We Saw Your Smoke Signal!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 15, 2019

I read a story about a shipwreck. When the sole survivor reached a small, uninhabited island, he prayed for God to rescue him, but help didn't come. Eventually he built a hut out of driftwood for protection from the elements. One day he returned from scavenging for food and found his hut in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Will Of God, God's Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational