In Sermon Illustrations: "Living Stone"

Read The Instructions

Contributed by Robert Mitchell on Apr 27, 2008

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS Have you ever been given instructions on how to do something, but you were pretty sure that you could figure it out, so you threw out the instructions? I did that one time with a brand new entertainment center. I had put all kinds of furniture together before and I just ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of The Spirit Is Much Too Important Not ...

Contributed by Anne Benefield on May 28, 2008

The gift of the Spirit is much too important not to share, but sometimes we don't share it. A few weeks ago when I attended the preaching conference in Woodbridge, VA, I heard James Emery White speak. He is the president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In his book, Long Night's Journey ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A. Entirely ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 15, 2008

a. Entirely sanctified This idea was hugely important for the early Church of God reformers. They believed that this was one of the primary beliefs that made them as Church of God people distinctive. They believed and called people to be entirely sanctified meaning that God would sanctify his ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: Church Of God

Wellness Needs The Whole Picture

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 6, 2008

WELLNESS NEEDS THE WHOLE PICTURE Christian Counseling Today Magazine Vol. 12 states this about the current crisis in health care: "Modern medicine is stretching beyond its limited vision as a disease treatment--even disease prevention-- profession in the 21st Century. Increasingly it is concerned ...read more

Tags: Gifts Healing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

My Friend My friend, I stand in judgment now. And I feel that you are to blame somehow. On earth I walked with you day by day. But never did you point the way. You knew the Lord, In His truth and His glory. But never did you share the story! My knowledge then was very dim. You could have ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Remember The Mission

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

REMEMBER THE MISSION In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife's casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years ...read more

Tags: Church Growth

Bread In The Hand

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

BREAD IN THE HAND David used what he had--a sling. For the little boy at the feeding of the 5,000 it was five loaves and two fish. For Samson it was the jawbone of a donkey. God can use anything. The major problem is workers in the Philippines nowadays have a personal slogan: "No support, no ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

The Ninety-Five Year Old Woman At The Nursing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

The ninety-five year old woman at the nursing home received a visit from one of her fellow church members. "How are you feeling?" the visitor asked. "Oh," said the lady, "I’m just worried sick!" "What are you worried about, dear?" her friend asked. "You look like you’re in good health. They ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

The Way In The Manger

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 14, 2022

THE WAY IN A MANGER To the tune of “Away in a Manger.” The Way in a manger, Was God’s only Son, He came down to save us From sin, we had done. The world was made ready, This child to receive. God’s Gift sent from heaven to all who believe. The Angels around Him looked down at His bed, The little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-12, Luke 2:1-2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, Galatians 4:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Nativity, Christmas, Christ's Birth, Carols, Hymns, Christmas Music, Christmas Poems, Poems About Christmas  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Six Ways To Be A Modern Day Barnabas

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

Below are six ways to encourage someone. When was the last time you encouraged someone in any of the following ways? Have you ignored some gentle promptings by the Spirit to encourage someone? Perhaps today you might ask God to whom you might send a note or make a call? Yes, dear brother or ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:36

Tags: Encouragement, Barnabas, Serving, Ministry To Others, Volunteers, Fellowship, Support, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy In The Circumstances Of Life

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 4, 2023

The ingredients of our life can lead to joy if we look at them from God’s viewpoint. I am reminded of the family that sat down to a meal with their grandpa and dad, an old farmer. The farmer was asked to ask the blessing on the breakfast of biscuits and gravy. They bowed their heads as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Tags: Circumstances, Joy

Denomination: Baptist

Go In This Might Of Yours

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 17, 2024

When Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites, God came to Gideon and said “Go in this might of yours and deliver Israelites”. God did not bestow on Gideon any additional or greater strength and wisdom, but said that the existing might of his was sufficient to deliver the Israelites. So many ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:14

Tags: Faith, Hope

A Contentious Spirit - Speaking Strife

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Here’s a fun fact: You don’t actually have to correct someone when they’re wrong. Shocking, I know! There’s no official appointment letter naming you Earth’s Guardian of Truth and Accuracy. (If there is, it probably got lost in the mail.) Sometimes, it’s okay to just let it go—yes, even if they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 26:21

Tags: Contentious, Strife, Contentious Spirit

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Hidden Mud And Leaves!" Ephesians 6:10-17 ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 14, 2004

“The Hidden Mud and Leaves!” Ephesians 6:10-17 Key verse(s): 10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” We moved to Beech Springs valley some sixteen summers ago now. We had been looking for a place that could afford us peace, quiet and some room for our growing family to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Tags: Battle, Doubt, Enemy, Stand, Strong  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

In The Chronicles Of Narnia, Several Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Glenn Robertson on Nov 16, 2005

In The Chronicles of Narnia, several young children represent Christians in a world of dragons, elves, unicorns, and many other mythical creatures. One of the children is a young boy named Eustace. Eustace is a very selfish boy. He always tries to see life for how it best benefits him. What he ...read more

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Baptist

Erwin Mcmanus And His "John The Baptist"

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 28, 2011

ERWIN MCMANUS AND HIS "JOHN THE BAPTIST" As we begin today I would like to read a true account of an experience that pastor, speaker, and author, Erwin McManus had in the early years of his ministry. Listen to what he says... "I got a message through the urban grapevine that I was dead. It might ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-17

Tags: Evangelism How To

Margaret Was In Her Forties And Suffered From ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Dec 17, 2007

Margaret was in her forties and suffered from bouts of depression and despair resulting mainly from an extremely poor self-image. She just couldn’t see herself as a person of worth. Over the years of her adult life, this image steadily grew worse. Finally reaching out in desperation, she sought the ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Power Can Be Used In At Least 2 Ways. It Can Be ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Apr 20, 2001

Power can be used in at least 2 ways. It can be unleashed or it can be harnessed. Drop an atomic bomb and just watch as raw power is unleashed or harness the power of the atom and it will produce energy to make enough electricity for entire states. On the Day of Pentecost, and on the day you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38, Acts 2:1-4

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, God's Omnipotence, Gifts General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's Pretty Common To Complain About Things. ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

It’s pretty common to complain about things. During a military exercise at Eglin AFB, Florida, as I was standing in line at the mess tent, I heard a disgruntled soldier ahead of me say, "What! Lobster again?!" I’m convinced that some people could live in a suite at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston ...read more

Tags: Peace, Joy, Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Congregational

Lord Jesus, Thou Who Art The Way, The Truth, And ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Help us see that our ...read more

Tags: Faith, Political Freedom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational