In Sermon Illustrations: "Long Suffering"

The Pitcairn Bible

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 25, 2008

The Pitcairn Bible The story of the Mutiny on the Bounty has been told many times and has been made glamourised by the 1962 film starring Trevor Howard and Marlon Brando in the lead roles. But the one part of the story that is not so well known is the transformation on Pitcairn Island of the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14, Matthew 8:5-13

Tags: Born Again

Denomination: Anglican

Bitter And Resentful

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

"Bitterness is like taking poison, and waiting for the other person to die." - Malachy McCourt I once knew a woman whose heart had been broken by disappointing relationships. She became very sarcastic towards the opposite sex and could often be overheard making disparaging remarks about ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31

Tags: Resentment, Bitterness, Bitter Root

Denomination: Charismatic

Death

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Feb 29, 2016

IN LATE WINTER DURING THE FIFTY-NINTH YEAR of his life, John Donne braved the weather and rough roads of the English countryside to keep his final preaching engagement before the king in London. He had spent most of that winter, what would be his last, battling “consumption,” and on several ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Tags: Death, Dying

Denomination: Baptist

The Lights Along The Shore

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 9, 2017

The Lights Along the Shore To me, lighthouses are among the most charming of man-made structures. Their unique and essential purpose makes each one a thing of exquisite beauty. Seafarers seeking a haven on a stormy night find a beam from the shore as precious as life itself. Perhaps Philip ...read more

Scripture: John 1:3-7, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:5, John 3:19-21, Malachi 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Navigation, Light, Sea, Harbor, Light And Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[100]. A Message From A Poem – Glory And Adoration To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 8, 2025

[100]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GLORY AND ADORATION TO THE LORD WHAT ABOUT THIS POEM? This poem, of all my poems, is my number one favourite and the most satisfying for me. It was a joy to write and a joy to contemplate the Lord while doing so. I think it speaks for itself in the meditation ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3

Tags: Tears, Crying, No More Curse, Christian Poetry, Poem Messages, Pain, Light, Heaven, Joy, Eternal  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pitcairn Bible

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 18, 2026

Story: The story of the Mutiny on the Bounty has been told many times. But the one part of the story that does not make the news is the transformation made by one book to Pitcairn Island. You probably know the story well of the Mutiny on the Bounty. Fletcher Christian , the second in command ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Tags: Bible, Bounty, Mutiny

Denomination: Anglican

No Rusty Promises In Heaven!" Leviticus 26: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 20, 2005

“No Rusty Promises in Heaven!” Leviticus 26: 40-45 Key verse(s): 45:“But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.” If you are interested in learning about hope, take a walk sometime ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:40-45

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Lutheran

When Is It Okay To Be Snarly?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 6, 2022

Normally, whatever normal means, I don’t get agitated by many things. I can keep my cool under the most bizarre circumstances. Nothing gets under my skin, and I can take everything with a grin. I can’t remember the last time I lost my temper and got mad. I’ve been married for over 50 years, so I ...read more

Scripture: John 8:44

Tags: Humor, Telemarketers, Snarly, Aggitation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Mary Almost Turned Back

Contributed by John Allen on Dec 8, 2020

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been rightly regarded as one of the godliest people in history. But she was also human, subject to the same doubts we have. Why, after the biggest announcement in history, does she "hurry away" from her family? Why did she go by herself? Why did she stay ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25

Tags: Mary, Christmas

About 10 Years Ago, A Young & Very Successful ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 21, 2001

About 10 years ago, a young & very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only 2 months old. He was watching carefully for kids darting out from between parked cars & ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Christian Love, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Eternal Real Estate  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on May 21, 2001

MY ETERNAL REAL ESTATE Years ago, radio evangelist Charles E. Fuller announced that he would speak the following Sunday on “Heaven” and that it would also be aired over the radio. During that week he received a letter from an elderly man who was very ill. Here’s a part of his letter: “Next ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Death Nearness, Funerals Christian

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Turn On The Tv Set To See A Large Family ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Feb 26, 2002

You turn on the TV set to see a large family sitting at a long dining room table. A man and a woman sit at opposite ends of the table, with three boys on one side and three girls on the other. Then another woman appears from the kitchen wearing a blue blouse and a white apron. She’s also wearing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Servanthood, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dr. J. Harold Smith Tells The Story Of A ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 17, 2003

Dr. J. Harold Smith tells the story of a fourteen-year-old girl, who refused to give her heart to Christ at a revival meeting he once preached. During the invitation time, he felt impressed of the Spirit to extend the altar call. He noticed this young lady, who was obviously under conviction, ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Baptist

Make A Friend, Find A Friend!" Proverbs 18: 24 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 11, 2004

“Make a Friend, Find a Friend!” Proverbs 18: 24 Key verse(s): 24: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I am reminded of the story of the great patriot John Randolph of Virginia. Known for his intelligence and generosity, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Tags: Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Lutheran

How Did I Spend My 75 Years?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 22, 2004

HOW DID I SPEND MY 75 YEARS? Statisticians tells us that the average life span is now around 75 years. If you’re under 30 then you think that is a long time. If you’re around my age, you’re beginning to realize that’s not really very long at all. A few years ago, someone went to the trouble to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14, Acts 20:7-12

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, New Year's Day, Giving Yourself

In His Book In The Eye Of The Storm, Max Lucado ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Jun 4, 2005

In his book In the Eye of the Storm, Max Lucado tells about something that happened to him while he was in high school. Every year, he and his family used to go fishing during spring break. But one year, his brother and his mom couldn’t go, so his dad let him invite a friend. They looked forward ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Actions Of The Common Day! (08.08.05--Character ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 4, 2005

Actions of the Common Day! (08.08.05--Character Counts!--Gen. 27: 11-13) “It’s the little things that count!” Growing up, this phrase had special meaning in my life. No, not because I enjoyed hearing it or, for that matter, even putting it to good use in my life. Rather, it was one of what I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10, Genesis 27:11-13

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Lutheran

There Was Once A Very Pious Monk With The Name ...

Contributed by Jelle Horjus on Nov 1, 2005

There was once a very pious monk with the name John, who spend most of his days in meditation and prayer. He was old, and had a beautiful long, white beard. No one else in the monastery had such a beautiful beard. Now and then, between his bible reading and praying, he used to take out a small ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Baptist

Story: In March 2004, I Was In The Second ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 5, 2005

Story: In March 2004, I was in the second bookshop in Dymchurch rummaging through the books when I came across a second hand Jerusalem Bible. As I opened the Bible up, a number of papers fell into my hand. On one of them was written a story. It was obviously very meaningful to the previous ...read more

Tags: Faith General, Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Anglican

In "The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe," By ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Nov 15, 2005

In "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," by C.S. Lewis we have a story of the power of resurrection. When Aslan the Lion came back to life, it meant hope for those who were enslaved by the White Witch. Resurrection introduced new life--the hallmark of Christianity. Some time ago Time Magazine ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Wesleyan