In Sermon Illustrations: "Me Focused"

Your Will Gives Out First

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

YOUR WILL GIVES OUT FIRST I can remember trying out for the cross country team at my high school, I could not understand how some of these guys did it, they could run and be fine at the finish line, I on the other hand was literally dying and giving up a mile short. The coach told me that the ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Too Important For ...

Contributed by Peter Loughman on May 15, 2008

TOO IMPORTANT FOR MINISTRY Years ago the retired church janitor had passed away and the family had asked the Senior Pastor to do the funeral services. The Senior Pastor informed me that I was to do the funeral service and not he, because, (and I am not making this up) because, “as senior pastor, ...read more

Tags: Self

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Polycarp, The Bishop Of Smyrna Was Brought Before ...

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 25, 2008

Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna was brought before the Roman authorities and told if he cursed Christ he would be released. He replied, "86 years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong: how then can I blaspheme my king who saved me?" The Roman officer replied, "Unless you change your mind, I ...read more

Tags: Persecution

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Will Catch You

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Aug 27, 2008

God Will Catch You When my girls were little munchkins, they often caught me off guard as they climbed up on the table or on the slide and after jumping off would shout, "Daddy, catch me!" I could have been ten feet away and would lunge toward them to catch them before they hit the ground. They ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Salvation Army

I Read Of A Candidate For Ordination Into The ...

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 25, 2008

I read of a candidate for ordination into the ministry. He was having an interview with the bishop on the day before the ordination service. Feeling his unworthiness he said, "Bishop, if you knew how unworthy I am to be ordained by you, you would never lay hands on me." The dear bishop replied, ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Baptist

Will Gives Out First

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

Will Gives Out First I can remember trying out for the cross country team at my high school. I could not understand how some of these guys did it. they could run and be fine at the finish line. I on the other hand was literally dying and giving up a mile short. The coach told me that the great ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Kids Write To Santa

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

KIDS WRITE TO SANTA "Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred." "Dear Santa, There are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey; he is 2. There is David; he is 4. ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Neil Chetnik, Author, Speaker, Expert On Men's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

Neil Chetnik, author, speaker, expert on men’s lives wrote in USA Today about the time he and his father were going through his grandfathers papers and he writes: "It was the first time I had ever seen my Dad cry, and Dad said, ’I am crying not only for my father, but also for me. His death means ...read more

Tags: Parenting

A Man, Charged With Stealing A Turkey, Appeared ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

A man, charged with stealing a turkey, appeared in court. He told the judge that his action was an answer to prayer. When the judge asked him to explain, the man said: "Well, Judge, it was the night before Thanksgiving, and I didn’t have a turkey. I prayed for the Lord to send me one. At midnight I ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

It Was An Unusually Cold Day For The Month Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 1, 2004

It was an unusually cold day for the month of May. Spring had arrived and everything was alive with color. But a cold front from the north had brought winter’s chill back to Indiana. I sat with two friends in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town squire. The food ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:5-7

Tags: Faith, Christian Disciplines, Consequences, Choice

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is This A Christmas Present Or What?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 21, 2019

One great blessing of Christmas is presents. Of course, at my age, I am not too interested in what I am getting but rather what I am giving. I cannot think of one thing I really would want. I got everything I need even though some of it may be old and outdated. As long as it works, I'm happy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Christmas, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

In Praise Of Crazy

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 1, 2020

I made a mistake the other night of complaining out loud. It is one thing to complain under your breath so that nobody hears you or knows what you are complaining about. But when you complain out loud, then you run the chance of somebody hearing you. The somebody I was most concerned about was the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:7-8

Tags: Praise, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Well, Here We Go Again

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 9, 2021

I have lived long enough to know that the only change that has any kind of reality is the change in my pocket. I keep track of that change with great supervision and count it every day. When people tell me that this is a New Year and there will be a lot of changes this year, I search my pocket ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Old, Humor, Change, New Year

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall, Stop Laughing

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 19, 2022

As old as I am, and I expect to get as old as possible, I have noticed that I see things differently than I did a few years ago. I’m not sure if my vision has changed or my perspective. But one thing is certain; something has changed. A lot of things are very aggravating in my life. When I think I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:21

Tags: Mirror, Perception

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Ugly Is As Ugly Sees

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 11, 2025

Dr. James L. Snyder I was drinking a cup of coffee in the middle of the shopping mall. I don’t like going to shopping malls, but The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage sent me to get a new dress shirt for Sundays. I told her I could wear the same one I wore last year, but she has different ideas ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:3-4

Tags: Beauty, Life

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Another Week On My Own

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 22, 2025

Several weeks ago, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage informed me she would be in St. Augustine with our daughter and granddaughter for spring break. As always, I really didn’t properly process this information. I get so busy with other things that there are some things I can’t process. It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Cheating

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Abraham Lincoln Once Said, "I Can Never Be ...

Contributed by Donn Heinrich on Feb 20, 2002

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Baptist

Abortion Is Murder In The Womba Child Is A Gift ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"Abortion is Murder in the wombA child is a gift from God. If you do not ...read more

Tags: Abortion

I Have Been Complimented Many Times And They ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel ...read more

What A Bargain Grandchildren Are I Give Them My ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"What a bargain grandchildren are I give them my loose change, and they give me a ...read more

Tags: Family