In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 4:1-11:11"

W.a. Criswell Tells Of An Ambitious Young Man Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Smith on Apr 2, 2007

W.A. Criswell tells of an ambitious young man who told his pastor he’d promised God a tithe of his income. They prayed for God to bless his career. At that time he was making $40.00 per week and tithing $4.00. God did just that and in a few years his income increased and he was tithing $500.00 per ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:26-29

Tags: Ask

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil's Beatitudes  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Apr 3, 2007

THE DEVIL'S BEATITUDES 1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend even an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. 2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them. 3. Blessed are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, John 16:33, 1 John 4:4

Tags: Satan, Church Small Groups, Discouragement, Devil, Beatitudes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

In A Brief Conversation, A Man Asked A Woman He ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 10, 2007

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question, "What kind of man are you looking for?" She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking. "Do you really want to know?" Reluctantly, he said, "Yes." She began to expound... "As a woman in this day and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:37-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Essential Part Of Christian Holiness Lies In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

The essential part of Christian holiness lies in giving ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5-8

Tags: Holiness

These Things I Do Despise: Hypocrisy And Lies, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"These things I do despise: Hypocrisy and lies, And anything at all that dims ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Tags: Children

Really Giving  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

REALLY GIVING The great Alliance preacher and renowned Christian author, A. W. Tozer, makes this observation: “Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done!... In God’s sight, my giving is measured not by how much I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-43, Matthew 9:1, Mark 9:14-35

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Like A Bird In The Hand!" Matthew 8:14-17 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 8, 2005

“Like A Bird in the Hand!” Matthew 8:14-17 Key verse(s): 16-17:“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17

Tags: God's Provision, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

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

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

Charlene Cothran Is The Publisher Of Venus ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Charlene Cothran is the publisher of Venus Magazine, which is a periodical for lesbians of African descent. She recently announced on the magazine’s web site that she has become a Christian and has rejected the lesbian lifestyle she had been living. Cothran said that as a magazine publisher she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:1-20, John 14:6, Matthew 10:37-39, Luke 16:1-13

Tags: Story, Commitment To Christ

When I Graduated High School, I Was Like Most ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

When I graduated high school, I was like most boys. I knew everything. I was going to get a job and get rich by the end of the year. I was going to be my own man and live life the way I wanted to. My father was retired from the Air Force. When I got ready to join the Navy, he sat me down and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 8:1-13, Luke 7:1-10

Tags: Patriarchs Joseph