In Sermon Illustrations: "Loving Acts"

Prayer Journal Entry Of George Washington  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 13, 2012

PRAYER JOURNAL ENTRY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON When George Washington was about 20 years old he wrote this in his prayer journal: "O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-10

Tags: Prayer Confession

Aristides On Christians

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2012

ARISTIDES ON CHRISTIANS Writing in about 125 AD, a Christian philosopher by the name of Aristides looked at Christianity and said this: "They walk in all humility and kindness, and falsehood is not found among them, and they love one another. They despise not the widow, and grieve not the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-20

Tags: Christian Witness

Death Steals From Us

Contributed by Jeffrey Rowe on Dec 29, 2012

Death steals from us in this life by suddenly separating us from the people and things we’ve come to care about. It robs us. A little while back, our church office building was broken into by thieves who took some of our equipment. Personally I’ve had my car broken into a couple of times. I’m ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Holiness

Last Words

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Feb 6, 2013

LAST WORDS My father worked for the railroad when I was younger. One night a train was backing up to hook up to some other cars and one man was not watching. He was in the way and the train made the connection right through his body. He did not die immediately, but he knew he had only a short ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

The Lonely Frog

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

You’ve heard the one, I ‘m sure, about the lonely frog who goes to see a fortune-teller. He’s told not to worry. She says, “You’re going to meet a beautiful young girl, and she will want to know everything about you.” “That’s great!” the excited frog says. “When will I meet her?” And the psychic ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-13

Tags: Fate, Providence

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Patience Is A Virtue

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Aug 20, 2018

My Mother always used to say, 'Only Fools rush in, son!' As I grew and matured, I heard that a lot less because I started to see the wisdom in what she had said and the foolishness in which I, as a young man, was a prime example. Matter-of-fact, if you had looked up foolishness, you would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Tags: Patience, Rushing

Denomination: *other

Don't Let Go

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 18, 2019

Bulldog and two Dobermans There was a Bulldog pup that lived in a fenced in yard. The little Bulldog was a peaceful little dog that loved to play in the yard. About three doors down lived two Dobermans, they were quite aggressive. Every day they would go by the little Bull dog and harass him. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:35-36

Tags: Endurance, Hold On

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Are You Going To Talk About Sin?

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 28, 2019

It was early in the year, and I asked myself, “What is the most important things my congregation needs to know.” I had decided to preach a series on what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, or the Plain, if you go by Luke. I mapped out the series, then I began to talk about what Jesus had to ...read more

Tags: Forgive, Judging Others, Sermon On The Mount, Judgement, Forgiveness, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Covid-19 Is Over.....

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 30, 2020

When this coronavirus Is over and life returns to normal, may we never, ever take for granted again..... * A handshake or a kind word from a stranger * A hug from a friend * Worshipping with other believers in a crowded church service * A boring night at home * Full shelves at the grocery ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Revival, Thankfulness, Gratitude, Blessings, Remembering, Coronavirus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prepared

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 5, 2020

Almost every Sunday morning I begin my sermon with a cute or funny story. This morning I start with a sad story. Bob and Betty were 2 of my dearest friends in Indiana. A strong, loving example of what a married couple should be. However, this couple was always at least 15 minutes late for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Tags: Faithfulness, Preparedness, Prepared

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jumping Jehoshaphat

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2022

Where does the expression “jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!” come from? A reader wrote in to ask, and I had a lovely time trying to figure it out. No one is sure how Jehoshaphat’s name ended up in this interjection, or why he’s jumping, but there are several interesting possibilities. This mild oath first ...read more

Tags: Jehoshaphat, Judah, Kings, Slang, Expressions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lady Visiting The Holy Land Came Upon A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A lady visiting the Holy Land came upon a sheepfold located high on a hilltop. Her attention was drawn to one poor sheep lying by the side of the road bleating in pain. Looking more closely, she discovered that its leg was injured. She asked the shepherd how it happened. "I had to break it ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Max Lucado Writes, "I Was Flying Home To San ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

MAX LUCADO WRITES, “I WAS FLYING HOME TO SAN ANTONIO ONE EVENING AND AS THE WHEELS OF THE PLANE HIT THE RUNWAY, ALL THROUGH THE PLANE YOU COULD HEAR THE UNFASTENING OF SEATBELTS. A VOICE CAME OVER THE INTERCOM SAYING, ’PLEASE REMAIN SEATED WITH YOUR SEATBELT FASTENED UNTIL THE PLANE COMES TO A ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, John 2:1-11

Tags: Faith General

In The Days Before Connecticut Became A State, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In the days before Connecticut became a state, the colonial legislature was in session when a thick black cloud blocked out the sunlight. Someone shouted, "It is the Day of Judgment Let’s go home and get ready" But one member of the legislature, who happened to be an old church deacon, stood up ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

I Received This Email In Response To The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I received this email in response to the Virginia Tech shooting. It’s from the WorldNetDaily. Speakers at the Virginia Tech convocation yesterday called on Allah and Buddha in their efforts to minister to the survivors, family and friends of victims of the shooting massacre at the school – but ...read more

Tags: Satan

Thirty Pints Of Blood (3/07)

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Thirty pints of blood (3/07) This week I read about two injured and dying Iraqi insurgents who were brought to a U.S. Triage facility in Iraq. One was bleeding to death. U.S. medical teams descended upon the two men and U.S. military doctors concluded that the one insurgent would not survive ...read more

Tags: Paul

We Stand Before The Lord

Contributed by Mark Bauer on Aug 1, 2007

We stand before the Lord like a child with her hand in the candy jar. who finds he cannot withdraw his hand without letting go of the candy. She is unwilling to do this The candy represents everything we want in life at that moment. But he child is helpless caught between 2 desires candy ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Thoughts On America From A Treasury Of Bible ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 6, 2007

Thoughts on America from a Treasury of Bible Illustrations: William Arthur Ward wrote these moving words: “I believe in America. “I believe it became great because of its faith in God, its hope for independence, and its love for freedom. “I am grateful for America’s glorious past; I am awed by its ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational