In Sermon Illustrations: "Long Life"

Counterfeit Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

"It is possible for the old nature to counterfeit some of the fruit of the Spirit, but the flesh can never produce the fruit of the Spirit. One difference is this: when the Spirit produces fruit, God gets the glory and the Christian is not conscious of his spirituality; but when the flesh is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Fruit, Flesh, Fruit Of The Spirit, Works Of The Flesh, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Semper Fi - Forever Faithful

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Commitment, Faithfulness, Fruit Of The Spirit, Works Of The Flesh, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Amazing Story Of The Waldorf-Astoria

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. "But I can't send a fine couple like you out in the rain," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?" The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Sacrifice, Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Rewards, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life, Unselfishness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Time To Change The Diaper!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

One day shortly after the birth of their new baby, the mother had to go out to do some errands. So, the proud papa stayed home to watch his wonderful new son. Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry. The father did everything he could think of to do but the baby wouldn’t stop crying. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Salvation, Transformation, New Life, New Birth, New Creation, Changes, Trusting Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[124]. A Message From A Poem – He’s Leading As My Head

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 8, 2025

[124]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE’S LEADING AS MY HEAD How many are lost in this world? I don’t mean unsaved, but I mean who don’t know where they are going or what lies ahead, or what life is about; those who feel life is meaningless and has no purpose? I know it is a lot of people. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15, John 10:10, John 12:46

Tags: Jesus, Direction, Leader, Guide, Life, Meaningless, Leading, Christian Poetry, Christian Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young Girl Grows Up On A Cherry Orchard Just ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. "I hate you!" she screams at her father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Tags: Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Forgiveness, Welcome Home, Parable Prodigal Son, New Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Self Control - The Conductor Of Your Orchestra!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

Let’s face it. We’ve been created with a multitude of moods, passions, and desires. They all need managing. They must be under control or they will end up controlling us. Lewis Smedes says that self-control is like the “conductor of a symphony orchestra.” Under the conductor’s baton the multitude ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Spirit Filled Life, Holy Spirit, Lust, Spiritual Warfare, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spiritual Victory, Desires  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Valuable Is Salt? 40 Million Tons Are ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Dashner on Dec 21, 2001

How valuable is salt? 40 million tons are required each year to fill our needs. Homer called it divine. Plato called it a "substance dear to the gods." Shakespeare mentioned salt 17 times in his plays. Perhaps Leonard da Vinci wanted to send a subtle message about purity lost when he painted "The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:38-50, Luke 14:34-35

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, New Life, Outreach, Sermon On The Mount, Salt, Discipleship, Evangelism, Christian Values  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Part Of The Fellowship Of The Unashamed. The ...  PRO

Contributed by John Gullick on Oct 21, 2003

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done ...read more

Tags: Dedication, Commitment, Commitment To Christ, Born Again, Assurance Of Salvation, New Life, Promise, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Three Levels Of Fruit Bearing

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 2, 2023

Galatians 5:19-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit described by Paul in Galatians 5 is not something that is a goal for Christian living produced by the ability of the believer. No, it is the very character of Christ produced within us by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spiritual Maturity, Leaders, Spirit Filled Life, Fruit Bearing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

7 Ways To Build Self-Control

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

To be self-controlled is to restrain ourselves by not giving in to our depraved desires. We can say “no” when everything in us is saying “yes” for all the wrong reasons. We deny worldly lusts when we withhold our consent from them and when we refuse the delight they suggest. God will give us the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Temptation, Character, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That Land Called Heaven

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on May 18, 2024

Heaven is a land without tears or sadness, You’ll find no crying there. Heaven is a land without funerals, You’ll find no dying there! Heaven is a land without broken hearts, You’ll find no regrets there. Heaven is a land without agony, You’ll find no sorrow there! Heaven is a land without ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1-5, Philippians 3:20, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 6:19-20, Acts 1:9, Psalm 108:5, Revelation 9:1-12, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 73:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Obituary, Sadness, Heaven, Separation, Funeral, Eternal Life, Sorrow, Tears, Hell, Death, Eternity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[313]. A Message From A Poem - Thoughts From Psalm 1

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 18, 2026

[314]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THOUGHTS FROM PSALM 1 Psalm 1 is a most important Psalm as it is the gateway to the Psalms. It draws the lines. The righteous and wicked are what the Psalms deal with, and that is underpinned by Psalm 1. The Psalm is a wonder in creation. It is simple yet ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:12, Psalm 1:6, Jeremiah 21:8

Tags: Righteous, Two Ways, Wicked, Christian Poetry, The Way Of Life, Christian Poems, Way Of Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Twas The Night Before Jesus Came

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 30, 2023

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, Philippians 2:1-11, John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Book Of Life, Return Of Christ, Preachers, Poems, Jesus, Church, Children, Advent, Second Coming, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is No Record Of A Rolls Royce Ever Breaking Down!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 19, 2023

Warren Wiersbe tells the story about a man who purchased a Rolls Royce and decided to tour through Europe. As he was enjoying his drive looking at the sights, suddenly his Rolls Royce broke down with no one around who could fix it. He sent a cable to the company in England and they flew a man over ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Blood Of Jesus, New Life In Christ, Sini, Salvation, Redemption, Justification, Position, Sinful Nature, Cleansing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mirror, Mirror In The Spring

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 8, 2024

Mirror, Mirror in the Spring When the World Distorts the Reflection On his first-ever hiking adventure, Dad found himself witnessing one of those classic parenting moments destined to become legendary family lore. He saw his young son kneeling by a glimmering spring, peering with utter ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Romans 13:14, 2 Timothy 3:14-16, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Children, Humor, Life Lessons, Commit, Habits, The World, Distortion, Worldiness, Love Of World, Comformity, Comform  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Great Background On The Oldest Psalm - Psalm 90

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 27, 2025

John Phillips gave us this helpful background information: "Next to the book of Job, Psalm 90 is most likely the oldest piece of writing in the Bible. This psalm was written by Moses in the wilderness on the way from Egypt to Canaan. So, Psalm 90 stands in grand isolation as the oldest psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Tags: Children, Moses, Resurrection, Prayer, Fearing The Lord, Brevity Of Life, God's Forgiveness, Sins, Jesus' Death, Answered Prayer, Prayer Requests, Trusting God, Passover, Eternal Life, Reverence, God's Mercy, Lamb Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Unca Frank's Christmas!" Isaiah 9: 6-7 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 20, 2004

“Unca Frank’s Christmas!” Isaiah 9: 6-7 Key verse(s): 6a: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Franklin Chaney was by all accounts what you would call a crank. For years he had lived alone in his upper flat, Vera having gone to be with the Lord many years past. He was pretty set in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Lutheran

[298]. A Message From A Poem – The Word Of God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 27, 2026

[298]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE WORD OF GOD This poem concentrates solely on the bible, the Word of God. Many images and metaphors are used for the bible and taken from God’s word. STANZA 1. The introduction and the requests for living and teaching. Psalm 119 could fit into this. STANZA ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2, Jeremiah 23:29, Ephesians 5:26, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Poem About The Bible, Word, The Word Of God, The Bible, Milk Of The Word, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Fire, Water Of Life, Hammer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sacrificing The Son  PRO

Contributed by Lacell Sherman on Jul 4, 2001

SACRIFICING THE SON There was a Pastor, who after the usual Sunday Evening Hymns, stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in service that evening. In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-42

Tags: God, Faithful, Bible, Love, Life, Promise, Promises Of God, Righteous, Righteousness, Share, Steady, Temptation, Tempt  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible