In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 1:1-24:1"

Tom Recently Told Me A Story About A Man Who Went ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Dec 7, 2004

Tom recently told me a story about a man who went to a priest and confessed that the Lord had recently convicted him of gossip. He wanted to know what he could do to make it right. The priest told him to go to the top of a mountain, rip open a feather pillow, turn the feathers loose in the wind, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:36-37

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Baptist

Love's Challenges  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2004

LOVE’S CHALLENGES (Based on John 13:35) What joy to love the saints above When I get home to glory. To love below, the saints I know, Well, that’s another story! To love mankind I always find To be a simple task. To have love for the man next door Is more than one should ask! Love’s full and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:27-30

Tags: Christian Love

Many Years Ago, A Man Was Hired An Experienced ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Santos on Dec 26, 2004

Many years ago, a man was hired an experienced guide to lead him on a hike into the Swiss Alps. After many hours, they came to a high and remote mountain pass. To the man’s dismayed, he saw the path had almost been washed out. What could he do? To the left was a sheer rock cliff, to his right, a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 6:33-38

Tags: New Year's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Did Not Ride Into Jerusalem On A White ...  PRO

Contributed by John Stevenson on Dec 26, 2004

Jesus did not ride into Jerusalem on a white stallion, leading His forces against the Roman Empire. And He doesn’t work that way today, either. He comes in a spirit of gentleness. And then He was arrested and dragged before the Sanhedrin and later before Pilate. He was falsely accused, mocked, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:5

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Gold Mine Of Opportunity!" Genesis 41: 1-14 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 30, 2004

“A Gold Mine of Opportunity!” Genesis 41: 1-14 Key verse(s): 14: “So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.” There once was an old Dutch farmer who owned a farm in a semi-arid part of South Africa ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-14, Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Leadership General, Trust

Denomination: Lutheran

A Woman Went To Her Doctor With A Whole Catalog ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 3, 2005

A woman went to her doctor with a whole catalog of complaints about her health. He examined her thoroughly and came to the conclusion that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her physically. He was convinced that her problem was due to her negative attitude toward life. She had become filled ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:7-13

Tags: Faith, Peace

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Woman Decided To Have Her Portrait Painted. She ...  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005

A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex." "But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied. "I know," she said. "It’s in case I should die before my husband. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Money

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cymbala's Easter Story  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2005

CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:15-18, Luke 23:32-34, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, John 13:34-35, Matthew 25:34-45, Psalm 40:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 1:1-11, Matthew 18:22-35, Matthew 22:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Second Coming, New Year, Dignity, Body Of Christ, Supper, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Supernatural Event!" Matthew 5:43-48 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 31, 2005

“A Supernatural Event!” Matthew 5:43-48 Key verse(s): 44:“‘But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” Pray for them who hate you! We know that this is what Jesus taught. And there are examples from Scripture of those who have dealt with their enemies in this manner. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Lutheran

Running Home To Mama!" Matthew 5:25-26 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 1, 2005

“Running Home to Mama!” Matthew 5:25-26 Key verse(s): 25:“‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking your to court.’” There is a point of departure where disagreement becomes conflict. It’s that point of departure that is most critical in the process of making friends or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:25-26

Tags: Character

Denomination: Lutheran

Thank You Sir! May I Do Another?" Matthew 4:1-11 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 3, 2005

“Thank You Sir! May I Do Another?” Matthew 4:1-11 Key verse(s): 9-10:“Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him.” “Thank you sir! May I do another?” Crouching on the ground, the recruit seemed barely touched by the sergeant’s rough treatment. He was doing push-ups; and a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran

Tiger Breath!" Matthew 6:9-13 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 6, 2005

“Tiger Breath!” Matthew 6:9-13 Key verse(s): 13:“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It has been foreordained that life is a temptation! Now that is a depressing thought if I ever heard one. Foreordained? That means that no matter what I do or how I do it, ultimately I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin Exposed, Risk Of Sin, Release, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Lutheran

A Wanted Man  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 18, 2005

A WANTED MAN "If Jesus had of entered into one of our modern cities, leading the parade, He would have been arrested immediately. He would be a wanted man. The FDA would want Him for turning water into wine without a license; the EPA for killing fig trees; the AMA for practicing medicine ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 20:17-19

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

How Sick I Really Was  PRO

Contributed by Michael Luke on Apr 4, 2005

HOW SICK I REALLY WAS A wealthy businessman lay on his deathbed. His preacher came to visit and talked about God’s healing power and prayed for his parishioner. When the preacher was done, the businessman said, "Preacher, if God heals me, I’ll give the church a million dollars." Miraculously, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ps. 15:4 Describes A Righteous Person As One "Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Luke on Apr 4, 2005

Ps. 15:4 describes a righteous person as one “who keeps his oath even when it hurts.” The brilliant Christian scholar and writer C. S. Lewis took that truth seriously. His biography tells of the suffering he endured because he kept a promise he had made to a buddy during World War I. This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Tags: Voice, Hearing, God, Christian Disciplines, Endurance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Have Pain, It Doesn't Have Me!" Matthew ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 25, 2005

“I Have Pain, It Doesn’t Have Me!” Matthew 24:1-13 Key verse(s) 13:“‘. . . but he who stands firm to the end, will be saved.’” Tolerance for pain. Some of us have more than others and I doubt there is any among us with unlimited ability to bear pain. To observe the many and varied reactions to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-13

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

Elephants Live Longer Than People, Maybe Because ...  PRO

Contributed by Wilfred Mina on May 1, 2005

“Elephants live longer than people, maybe because they never worry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Tags: Guilt

Denomination: Pentecostal

Bill Hybels Tells About An Interesting ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 1, 2005

Bill Hybels tells about an interesting experience after a baptism service in their church. He writes: “I bumped into a woman in the stairwell who was crying. I thought this was a little odd, since the service was so joyful. I asked her if she was all right. She said, ‘No, I’m struggling.’ She ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 17:1-8, Matthew 7:7-11

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Methodist

Suppose Two Women Were Planting A Vegetable ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 21, 2005

Suppose two women were planting a vegetable garden. On the same day, they prepared the earth and planted their seeds. One then neglected her garden and waited for her vegetables to grow. The other woman worked in her garden regularly. She put cages around the young tomato plants, she drove in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Tags: Jesus, Midst

May 31, 2005 "Our Semper Fi Brother!" Matthew ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 31, 2005

May 31, 2005 “Our Semper Fi Brother!” Matthew 9:18-26 Key verse(s) 22“Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed from that moment.” Nothing defines endurance better than a Marine. I have known a few Marines in my life; in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-22

Tags: Patience, Perseverance, Persistence, Promised Land, Doubt, Endurance, Faith General, Conquer, Brotherhood, Struggles, Victory  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran