In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 5:1-7:29"

You’re Probably Familiar With The Book ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 9, 2001

You’re probably familiar with the book "Moby Dick". Even if you’ve never read it, you know the story: Captain Ahab goes in search of a great while whale, and is finally killed when the whale attacks and destroys his ship. But you probably didn’t know that this scene in Herman Melville’s novel was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20, Matthew 5:21-37, Matthew 5:38, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 22:15-22, Ezekiel 37:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God's Omniscience, Holy Spirit In Believers, Jehoshaphat, Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Baptist

Rabbi David A. Nelson Likes To Tell The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 17, 2001

Rabbi David A. Nelson likes to tell the story of two brothers who went to their rabbi to settle a longstanding feud. The rabbi got the two to reconcile their differences and shake hands. As they were about to leave, he asked each one to make a wish for the other in honor of the Jewish New Year. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:12

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Christian Love, Cross, Judge, Judgement, Mote  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Norman Cates Shared The Humorous Story Of A Guy ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on May 21, 2001

Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17, Matthew 6:11-15, Romans 12:5, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, What Is Evangelism?, Evangelism Fear Of, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

Bamboo  PRO

Contributed by Danny Thomas on May 21, 2001

Bamboo Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, bamboo grew yet ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Luke 9:1-6, Daniel 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Doing God's Will, Christian Disciplines, Discipleship, Destiny, Harvest, Humility, Persistence, Witness, Welcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Have You Ever Heard Of The "Dependent Order Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Martin Field on Aug 7, 2001

Have you ever heard of the "Dependent Order of Really Meek and Timid Souls"? When you make an acrostic of the first letters of its name, you have the word "Doormats." The Doormats have an official insignia—a yellow caution light. Their official motto is: "The meek shall inherit the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Fear And Worry, Endurance, Christian Love

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Roof Of The Church Hall Of A Little Swiss ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 8, 2001

The roof of the church hall of a little Swiss church, at the turn of the 20th century, was falling down. So the members of the church held regular prayer meetings in the hall after the service to pray for funds to repair the roof . There was an old man, known to be very tight with his money, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Warfare, Humor, Giving General, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

A Dear Friend, Donna Smith, Once Told Me, ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 16, 2001

A dear friend, Donna Smith, once told me, “I never say Amen I always have so much to pray about.” That’s probably good advice; when you’ve got God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-13

Tags: Prayer How To, Prayer Persistence, Prayer General

Denomination: United Methodist

There Was A Single Mother Who Had Heard A ...  PRO

Contributed by Morris Mott on Sep 27, 2001

There was a single mother who had heard a Biblical financial teacher say, “Quit looking at your job as the source of your income. Look at your job as only one avenue, one channel the Source, El Shaddai, uses to bring finances into your life. Begin to teach your children to look to their heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Tags: God's Provision, Prayer Answered, Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

D. L. Moody Said, "I Believe Firmly That ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 9, 2001

D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Back During The Days Before Automobiles, Two ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 3, 2001

Back during the days before automobiles, two preachers met in a certain town. The first asked the second how he was doing. “Furious!” replied the second. “Someone has stolen my bicycle and I think it’s one of my church members! I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Tags: Leadership General, Faith, Commandments General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Assertive Prayer  PRO

Contributed by Todd Schäve on Nov 6, 2001

ASSERTIVE PRAYER: Assertive prayer is expressing to the Lord our feelings and thoughts, with all due respect and humility, and making our requests known to the Lord, and leaving the results up to him. Jesus alludes to assertive prayer, when he said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, Matthew 7:7-8

Tags: Prayer Supplication, Prayer General, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Baptist

Story: Dr. Ian Paisley, The Fiery Irish Cleric ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 13, 2001

Story: Dr. Ian Paisley, the fiery Irish cleric and politician was reputed to have been preaching one Sunday on the End Times - and in particular on the Day of Judgement. As he reached the climax of his address he said that on the Day of Judgement "there would be wailing and gnashing of teeth". ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5, Genesis 1:1-12

Tags: Hell, Second Coming

Denomination: Anglican

At The Turn Of The Century The World's Most ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Nov 27, 2001

At the turn of the century the world’s most distinguished astronomer was Sir Percival Lowell. He was esteemed for his study of the solar system and had a particular fascination with Mars. He was certain that he had determined that there were CANALS on the surface of the Red Planet and that these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:3-4

Tags: Bible Truth, Faith, God's Omniscience

Einstein Made The Law Of Relativity Famous With ...  PRO

Contributed by James O. Davis on Dec 5, 2001

Einstein made the Law of Relativity famous with the formula: E=Mc2. E= Energy M= Mass in grams C= Velocity of Light in Centimeters per second. This simply means a small amount of mass can produce a great amount of energy. Nuclear Fusion is an example. Einstein said light is the only thing in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Apologetics General, God's Holiness, Heaven

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Judge Not . . .  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 16, 2001

JUDGE NOT . . . A small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand in a trial -- a grand-motherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?" She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Tags: Truth, Real People, Leadership General, Holiness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On October 2, 1864, One Of The Worst Battles Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Dashner on Dec 21, 2001

On October 2, 1864, one of the worst battles of the American Civil War was fought. 2800 Confederate soldiers squared off against 4500 Union soldiers. The battle is forever recorded in American history as one of the worst atrocities that has ever occurred on US soil. After a day of intense fighting, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, Love Of The Disciples, Life, Truth

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Valuable Is Salt? 40 Million Tons Are ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Dashner on Dec 21, 2001

How valuable is salt? 40 million tons are required each year to fill our needs. Homer called it divine. Plato called it a "substance dear to the gods." Shakespeare mentioned salt 17 times in his plays. Perhaps Leonard da Vinci wanted to send a subtle message about purity lost when he painted "The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:38-50, Luke 14:34-35

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, New Life, Outreach, Sermon On The Mount, Salt, Discipleship, Evangelism, Christian Values  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Calls Us To His Rest, And Meekness Is His ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Kuzma on Jan 2, 2002

“Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is his method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort. The rest Christ offers is the rest of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Peace, Meekness, Sermon On The Mount, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Foursquare

The Renewal Of Our Natures Is A Work Of Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Tags: Holiness, Character

What Is It To Serve God And To Do His Will? ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

What is it to serve God and to do His will? Nothing else than to show mercy to our neighbor. For it is our neighbor who needs our service; God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 5:7, Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 5:5

Tags: Servanthood, Love Of The Disciples, Christian Disciplines