In Sermon Illustrations: "Me Focused"

37 Things To Say To Your Spouse

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on May 20, 2008

37 THINGS TO SAY TO YOUR SPOUSE A healthy marriage is a safe haven where we can relax and recuperate from the tensions of everyday life. We need to hear positive things from our mate. Just as I gathered together some friends to tell me what not to say to a spouse, so they also suggested what they ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Pentecostal

Get Down In The Ditches

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Aug 18, 2008

GET DOWN IN THE DITCHES A few years ago when I had my motorcycle accident and ended up in a ditch full of dirt, I was lost in the same way the Bible uses the world "lost." I could not get out of that ditch, even though every fiber of my being wanted to. My HEART wanted to. My spirit wanted to. ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Wesleyan

Imitating Everything

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Oct 22, 2010

IMITATING EVERYTHING The most influential person in my life was a man by the name of Charles. He was the pastor of the church where I went as a teenager. You may have heard me talk about Charles before, and, if you have, you may remember that he taught me how to drive, he helped me learn a trade ...read more

Tags: Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The World Is Mine.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 23, 2016

THE WORLD IS MINE. God allowed the Children of Israel to wander in the wilderness because of a COMPLAINING SPIRIT that was never satisfied with anything from God. God demands that we cast off the complaining spirit in Philippians 2:14 -- "Do all things without murmuring or complaining. Nothing ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Tags: Complaining, Whining, Unthankful, Griping

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Drug Problem  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 6, 2003

DRUG PROBLEM A little old lady was amazed at how nice the young man was next door. Every day he would help her gather things from her car or help her in her yard. One day, the old lady finally ask the young man, "Son, how did you become such a fine young man?" The young man replied, "Well, when ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Body Of Christ, Attendance, Disciplines, Church Purpose Of, Commitment, Church, Goodbye  (view more)  (view less)

Mothers Are Central To The Success Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on May 11, 2003

Mothers are central to the success of the American family. Their love, dedication, and wisdom touch countless lives every day in every community throughout our land. And their love and guidance of children help to develop healthy and spiritually sound families. President John Quincy Adams once ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-29

Tags: Parenting, Mother's Day, Women

Denomination: Baptist

A Pastor Was Going Through A Crisis. His Little ...  PRO

Contributed by Arulselvam Rayappan on Mar 1, 2005

A pastor was going through a crisis. His little daughter who was paralyzed was sitting in her chair as he entered the house with a package for his wife. Giving his daughter a big kiss he asked, "where is Mother?" "Upstairs," She replied. " Well, I have something for her" "Let me carry it to ...read more

Tags: Cross

Denomination: Catholic

When I Hear The Praises Start

Contributed by John Shearhart on May 26, 2006

My son, my son, why are you striving? You can’t add one thing to what’s been done for you. I did it all while I was dying. Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you. For when I hear the praises start I want to rain upon you. Blessings that will fill your heart; I see no stain upon you, ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

It Is Like Finding A Friend Playing Marco Polo. ...

Contributed by Chip Van Emmerik on Oct 19, 2006

It is like finding a friend playing Marco Polo. Explain invited to friend’s house, blindfolded in the pool. You would never find the person unless they responded. Only imagine you were in the pool looking but the other person was not even in the pool, or even on the planet. Without God’s help, we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Don't Want To Test ...

Contributed by Charles Jones on Oct 21, 2008

I don’t want to Test God I don’t want to reject God All I want is for Him to bring me into that place where I can hear his voice. We need to be real with God. Just like God called Adam from the midst of the Garden. And asked “ Where are you?” The Savior is calling today and saying Come unto ...read more

Tags: Peace

Denomination: Pentecostal

As A Matter Of Fact It’s Not Always Easy ...

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Jan 15, 2010

As a matter of fact it’s not always easy to even treat lovingly those in our own family. It can be challenging. It can be tough. I’ll give you an example. You may not know this but my wife treats me like a little child. She does. It’s embarrassing and I just can’t get her to see me as an ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith And An Elevator

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 8, 2011

FAITH AND AN ELEVATOR If I stand on the ground floor of a 27-floor building and press the button for an elevator, I am confident (I have faith) that the elevator will arrive. Indeed, it does, and the door opens. I am now presented with a vehicle that, I am confident (I have faith), will take ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Following The Masses

Contributed by Dusan Tillinger on Mar 30, 2012

FOLLOWING THE MASSES A few years ago I was walking down Prague's Wenceslaus Square when I coincidently, without realizing it, found myself in the middle of a protest. It was so easy to blend with them, to get into their middle and march with them, but once I tried to leave that mob, step out and ...read more

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

Denomination: Lutheran

I Was Hungry

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 9, 2023

Charles Allen has a satirical comment on bearing one another's burdens: "I was hungry, and you formed a humanities club and discussed my hunger. I was imprisoned, and you crept off quietly to your chapel in the cellar and prayed for my release. I was naked, and in your mind you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Tags: Mercy, Ministry, Homeless, Serving Others, Burdens, Compassion, Prayer, Prison, Lost, Sick, Lonely  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Red Isn’t Always The Red I See

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 2, 2021

It is not that I am colorblind; I just am color indifferent. Red and blue and yellow are all the same to me. This, on many occasions, has challenged the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, who is very meticulous when it comes to describing anything or anyone. In remodeling my office at the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:12

Tags: Christmas, Humor, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Seeing Can Be Rather Expensive

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 3, 2021

As I get older, and my goal is to get as old as I can, I begin to realize some of the things I haven't noticed in my life. You know how it is; things creep up little by little, and then all of a sudden, there it is. That happened to me recently with my eyes. Since I was in the ninth grade (I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1

Tags: Sight, Humor, Blessings

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Switch In Time On My Behind

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 2, 2022

Recently, I was reminded of my father’s passing 12 years ago. It’s funny how time quickly goes by, and then something happens to remind you of the past. When I was growing up, spankings were normal. And, for someone like me, those spankings were quite regular. Today my father would be arrested for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Humor, Discipline

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What The World Needs Today Are Fathers

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 18, 2022

There is much talk today about what’s wrong with our society. That list is pretty long, but the most important cause of problems in our culture today is the lack of fathers. So many children grow up without a father in the home. How tragic. I was fortunate enough to know my father. My father ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:24

Tags: Father, Family, Authority

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Another Celebration In The Bank

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 11, 2023

This month The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I celebrate the 52nd anniversary of our engagement. In August, it’ll be the 52nd anniversary of our wedding. I can’t believe we have been together for 52 years. But, alas, here it is. I first met her in September of 1970 when I went to Bible ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Marriage, Celebration, Anniversary

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Dizzy Is As Dizzy Says

Contributed by James Snyder on May 27, 2023

Several years ago, I had a heart attack, which surprised my family and friends, who didn't know I had a heart. I was not sure I had a heart either until that day it attacked me. What my heart had against me to attack me like that I still have not figured out. Two years later, I have to go in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7

Tags: Stress, Medicine, Dizzy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance