In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 13:21-24:24"

Let's Play ‘let's Pretend'. Let's Pretend That ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004

Let’s play ‘Let’s Pretend’. Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13, Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 17:1-13, James 1:22, John 19:30-31, John 11:1-45, John 11:45-57  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Priest And A Rabbi From Local Parishes Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004

A priest and a rabbi from local parishes were standing by the side of the road holding up signs. The rabbi’s read, "The End is Near!" The priest, on the other side of the road, held up a sign which read, "Turn before it’s too late!" They planned to hold up their signs to each passing car. "Get a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:4-13

Tags: Judgment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Graffiti With Meaning!" Matthew 14: 22-24 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 15, 2004

“Graffiti With Meaning!” Matthew 14: 22-24 Key verse(s): 23: “After he had dismissed the, he went up on a mountainside by himself to prayer. When evening came, he was there alone . . .” “Isolation is not all that bad . . . it just depends on who you spend it with.” At first glance this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-24

Tags: Boat, Prayer How To

Denomination: Lutheran

Many People Have Trouble With The Concept Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 22, 2004

Many people have trouble with the concept of total depravity. While not denying they are sinners, many people feel that their sin isn’t bad enough to condemn them. What they don’t understand is that any sin is wholly unacceptable to God. Let’s suppose I invite you over to my house this Saturday ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:6-9, Romans 3:9-20

Tags: Sin Separates From God, Basket, Fish And Loaves, Leftovers

Denomination: Baptist

Rick Warren Writes In "The Purpose Driven Life," ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 30, 2004

Rick Warren writes in “The Purpose Driven Life,” “I have been at the bedside of many people in their final moments, when they stand on the edge of eternity, and I have never heard anyone say, “Bring me my diplomas! I want to look at them one more time. Show me my awards, my medals, that gold watch ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: *other

Our Chains--His Slavery!" Matthew 20: 20-28 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 2, 2004

“Our Chains--His Slavery!” Matthew 20: 20-28 Key verse(s): 28: “. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” “Just sign here on the dotted line here Mr. Brunner and we will be done.” As I lifted my hand, grip on pen, ready to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

Jesus In An Age Of Higher Learning  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Feb 24, 2005

Jesus In an Age of Higher Learning Simon Peter answered, “Lord you are the Messianic parousia, the pre-existent Logos, the eschatological anticipation of the cosmos, the epistemological problem of the ages, the Christological manifestation, and the antitheses of the Adamic quandary. I Cor. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:16

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Plan For Pain!" Matthew 16:21-28 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 6, 2005

“God’s Plan for Pain!” Matthew 16:21-28 Key verse(s): 25:“‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.’” “And whatever you do, make sure you don’t hurt yourself!” The tractor tire was heavy; definitely a two man job. Perched on the back of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Tags: Endurance

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

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

Billy Graham Noted, "Faith Is The Avenue Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 23, 2005

Billy Graham noted, “Faith is the avenue of salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a mustard seed, so small you can hardly see it. But if you will put that little faith in the person of Jesus, your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-34, Matthew 13:31-33

Tags: Faith General, Faith Vs. Works

Denomination: Lutheran

Love Does Not Seek Its Own, But Hurt People ...

Contributed by Greg Yount on Jul 30, 2005

Love does not seek its own, but hurt people become more and more self-seeking and self-contained. In this climate the love of God waxes cold. A natural example of this is the two seas in the Holy Land. The Sea of Galilee freely receives and gives out water. It has an abundance of life, nurturing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-12

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Toys? (09.08.05--The Temporal ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 6, 2005

The Most Toys? (09.08.05--The Temporal Things!--Matthew 16:26) The world teaches this--You can never have too much of a good thing! We must always have enough or we are being somehow cheated of that which we truly deserve. If one were to ever wonder why we live in such a greedy world, this tenet, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:26

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Lutheran

This Story Comes From P131-133 Of The The Lion, ...  PRO

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 14, 2005

This story comes from p131-133 of the The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in The Chronicles of Narnia series. Peter, the great king, has just slain the evil wolf general Maugrim. Aslan tells him he has blood on his sword. Peter looks down and sees that t is true. He bends down and wipes the blood ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Making God-Hugs Possible! ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 10, 2005

Making God-Hugs Possible! (10.12.05--Sacrifice!--Matthew 19:21) Does God place limits on how far He wants us to go when it comes to committing to His will? If His will is our sacrifice, can there be any limits? Is our God reasonable when it comes to our ability to forbear or to bear? God, of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:21

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Lutheran

There Was Once A Farmer Who Went To Town To ...  PRO

Contributed by John Shearhart on Oct 29, 2005

There was once a farmer who went to town to purchase seeds for his farm. As he was returning home one of the squash seeds he had purchased fell from his pocket onto the ground. It happened that within a few feet was another seed of a different type. The place where the two seeds lay was rather ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6, Matthew 13:1-23

Tags: Faith, Endurance, Peace

Time Check  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 21, 2005

Sometimes finding the right path depends greatly on friends that you have in high places. An airline pilot flying over the southeastern U.S. called the local tower and said, “We are passing over at 35,000--give us a time check.” The tower said, “What airline are you?” “What difference does it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:23

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Lutheran

National Religious Broadcasters Has Written To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 10, 2006

National Religious Broadcasters has written to its 1,200 members decrying a recent FCC ruling that allows the federal agency to influence religious programming content. The ruling states, programming “primarily devoted to religious exhortation, proselytizing or statements of personally held ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:29-34

Tags: Character