In Sermon Illustrations: "Marriage Struggle"

For Most Of His Life, Hudson Taylor Was Haunted ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 19, 2002

For most of his life, Hudson Taylor was haunted and depressed both by his desire to see the Chinese saved and his fear of responsibility. In many instances, he trusted God for what at the time were remarkable requests: In 1881, he asked for another 70 missionaries within three years, and he got 76. ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Workplace Evangelism

I Read A Story This Week About A Woman Who Was ...

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Aug 3, 2003

I read a story this week about a woman who was the only English teacher in a small rural school. She described what she called “the mixed pleasure of teaching my own three sons.” They begged her not to call on them in class, use them as examples, or tell any family stories— rules to which their mom ...read more

Tags: Misconceptions

Denomination: Baptist

Star Wars Episode I

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 16, 2005

ILLUSTRATION... Star Wars Episode I The Trade Federation is angling to take over the planet of Naboo, placing Queen Amidala, its ruler, in peril. The incursion sets off a galactic political struggle. One of the pivotal points in the movie comes when the Queen seeks out the other inhabitants of ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In December 1974, Ten-Year-Old Christopher ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 23, 2005

In December 1974, ten-year-old Christopher Carrier was abducted by one of his father’s ex-employees, David McAllister. McAllister stabbed young Christopher with an ice pick, shot him in the head, and left him in swampland in Florida. Incredibly, Christopher survived, but was blinded in one eye. ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Lutheran

They Tell Me The Story That Long Ago There Was A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2005

They tell me the story that long ago there was a small church, in a small town, in a small county, where a small congregation had tried for years to get the biggest “sinner” in town, Sam, to come to church. Sam the sinner would have nothing to do with the church. He wouldn’t even come on Easter or ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Evangelism Fear Of

The Movie "Saving Private Ryan" Ends With Captain ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Mcguire on Feb 7, 2007

The movie "Saving Private Ryan" ends with Captain Miller(Tom Hanks’ character)sitting near a bridge after an attack by German forces. His life is ebbing away as he pulls Ryan (Matt Damon)down toward him. Struggling for breath he whispers, "Earn this, earn this." As Ryan stands his face morphs back ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Eternal Creator Has Ultimately Revealed ...

Contributed by James Wallace on Nov 12, 2009

The Eternal Creator has ultimately revealed himself by becoming one incredible man, Jesus Christ, who demonstrated the truth about God---that He is gracious & willing to save us from our sins. Now that is incredibly great news for us. Of all possible core realities behind this vast universe in ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Bible Church

Converted Not Once, But Often

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Aug 3, 2010

CONVERTED NOT ONCE, BUT OFTEN A person of no less stature than Ruth Graham, the daughter of a Presbyterian missionary and the wife of a world-famous evangelist, struggled with this idea of a "moment of conversion." She was raised in the faith and knew that she was secure in Christ, and yet she ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Produce It Anyway

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 1, 2010

PRODUCE IT ANYWAY Automobile genus Henry Ford once came up with a revolutionary plan for a new kind of engine which we know today as the V-8. Ford was eager to get his great new idea into production. He had some men draw up the plans, and presented them to the engineers. As the engineers studied ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: *other

King Henry Ii's Anger

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 10, 2011

KING HENRY II'S ANGER King Henry II of England, back in around 1200, had a lot of power. He put an end to a long and bloody civil war, and ruled both England and a large chunk of France for many years. He was so famous that a movie was made about him, about 25 yrs ago, starring Richard Burton and ...read more

Tags: Anger

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Church Moves On

Contributed by Michael Walther on Jul 29, 2011

A CHURCH MOVES ON "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12.21). A church that was already struggling financially suffered a loss of $5,000 which one of its members had embezzled. This put the church in even greater peril because of its difficulty in meeting financial ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Lutheran

Temptation Doesn't Always End In Failure

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 7, 2011

TEMPTATION DOESN'T ALWAYS END IN FAILURE The same Spirit that came down from heaven like a dove now led Jesus into the desert so He could be tempted by Satan. Why? Have you ever felt that you have been unjustly persecuted? Have you ever felt passed over, left behind, cast away or just can't seem ...read more

Tags: Temptation Of Christ

Almost Giving

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 21, 2012

ALMOST GIVING One of the Ad Council's most effective public service commercials is the "Don't Almost Give" campaign. One ad shows a man with crutches struggling to go up a flight of steps. The narrator says, "This man almost learned to walk at a rehab center that almost got built by people who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38, James 2:16

Tags: Giving General

Relaxing Our Grip On Troubles

Contributed by Jerry Stephens on Mar 18, 2017

Recently I was praying at bedtime. I felt overwhelmed by the things I didn’t get done that day; things that would be facing me the moment I opened my eyes the following morning. As I recited my litany of woes, I sensed the Holy Spirit asking me which among them I thought he couldn’t handle. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Prayer General, Trouble, Trust, Prayer

Denomination: Vineyard

Legalism, Rules And Judging Others

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Nov 12, 2018

Charles Price (pastor of The Peoples Church in Toronto) tells the story of a friend of his who went to the Netherlands to share the gospel with Dutch people and became friends with many Dutch Christians. He was amazed to find out how distressed Dutch Christians were with the state of American ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1

Tags: Legalism Vs Liberty, Rules

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Almost

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

Almost Story It started out with a low rumbling; then there was the sound of the explosion. It seemed like the whole world was rocking and reeling under the blow of Mother Nature. The sky was filled with smoke as dark as a midnight; the ashes from the eruption were falling like snow in a winter ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:17

Tags: Delay, Almost

Denomination: Pentecostal

During World War Ii, England Needed To Increase ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

During World War II, England needed to increase its production of coal. Winston Churchill called together labor leaders to enlist their support. At the end of his presentation he asked them to picture in their minds a parade, which he knew would be held in Piccadilly Circus after the war. First, ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

One Day A Large Male Lion Decided To Make Sure ...  PRO

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Jun 29, 2007

"One day a large male lion decided to make sure that all the other animals knew he was the master of the jungle so he went to the gazelle and roared, ’Who is the king of the jungle?’ Trembling, the gazelle answered, ’Why, you are, mighty lion.’ He went next to the zebra and roared, ’Who is the king ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Emptiness

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 23, 2007

Emptiness One of the most common refrains we hear from those who have reached the pinnacle of success is that of the emptiness that still stalks their lives, all their successes notwithstanding. That sort of confession is at least one reason the question of meaning is so central in life’s pursuit. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dr. Ed Stetzer Directs Church Planting For The ...

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 27, 2008

Dr. Ed Stetzer directs church planting for the Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest denominations in the country. He writes: "Harold stood up, paused for a moment, and began to speak softly, 'We don't want our church to die. We'll do what it takes.' That was when I first knew the church ...read more

Tags: Church Growth

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed