In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 5:19-7:10"

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: Church Practices, Humor, Giving General, Spiritual Warfare, Warfare  (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 General, Prayer Persistence

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

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

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

I Am Absolutely Convinced That No Wealth In The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker. The example of great and pure individuals is the only thing that can lead us to noble thoughts and deeds. Money only appeals to selfishness and irresistibly invites abuse. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Giving General, Envy, Money

Nothing Disciplines The Inordinate Desires Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 17, 2002

Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. It will devise subtle, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Tags: Service, Servanthood, Disciplines, World

The People With The Roses  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Feb 23, 2002

THE PEOPLE WITH THE ROSES John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 6:33, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 13:24-43  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Compassion, Evangelism Fear Of, Great Commission, Heart, Love, The Organ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Remember The Lord's Prayer? Twenty-Five ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 5, 2002

Do you remember the Lord’s Prayer? Twenty-five percent of Christ’s fifty words have to do with deliverance from evil. What did he say? Matthew 6:13, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” I challenge you to make that petition before God. I challenge you to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Temptation General

Denomination: Methodist

Many Of You Remember The Moving Final Scene Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 13, 2002

Many of you remember the moving final scene of the Steven Spielberg’s movie Schindler’s List where Oscar Schindler, the Polish businessman, used a portion of his fortune to put the names of Jews on a work list that would keep them from going to concentration camps. Faces, - those who escaped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Money

Denomination: Methodist

Forgive Us Our Debts...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Mccarley on Apr 30, 2002

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS... A pastor friend recently told the true story of one of his church members, an attorney, who after meditating on several scriptures, decided to cancel the debts of all his clients that had owed him money for more than 6 months. He drafted a letter explaining his decision and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Tags: Sin, Mercy, Debt, Atonement, Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Leo Burnett Advertising Agency Did A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2002

The Leo Burnett advertising agency did a nationwide telephone survey a few years ago on lying, cataloging when we lie, how we lie, and why we lie. The results were interesting. Ninety-one percent of all Americans confessed that they regularly lied. Seventy-nine percent had given out ...read more

Scripture: John 8:44, Matthew 5:33-37, Jude 1:2-5, Matthew 5:33-37

Tags: Lies

Stolen Billfold  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 21, 2002

Stolen Billfold John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker. As they rode along, he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn’t there! So he slammed on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1

Tags: Grace, Compassion

Denomination: Baptist

Kidnapped By Hatred  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Jul 21, 2002

KIDNAPPED BY HATRED On February 9, 1960, Adolph Coors III, millionaire head of Coors Company, was kidnapped and held for ransom. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. He had been shot to death. Adolph Coors IV was then fifteen years old. He lost not only his father, but also ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15, John 10:1-42, John 5:1-9, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 8:43-48  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: *other

Though The Following Story Comes From The ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on Aug 7, 2002

Though the following story comes from the distant past, it speaks forcefully to the present: King Henry IV of France once asked the Duke of Alva if he had observed the great eclipse of the sun that had recently occurred. "No," said the duke, "I have so much to do on the earth that I have no leisure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:24-30

Tags: Heaven, Rewards, Giving Yourself

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Week, Bernie Came To The Church Door. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

Last week, Bernie came to the church door. He showed up about five minutes before I was getting ready to leave for an appointment, and my first response to his arrival was, oh, no, not now. Bernie had been drinking – I could smell it on his breath. He was sweating profusely and was a little bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13-20

Tags: Fellowship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hungry Enemy  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 27, 2002

A HUNGRY ENEMY A woman wrote to "Pulpit Helps" to explain a miraculous lesson her family experienced. During one of their family Bible readings as new Christians, they ran across the verse, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him" (Romans 12:20 RSV). She writes: Ours sons, 7 and 10 at the time, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20, Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Enemy, Forgiveness General, Christian Love, Christlikeness, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ