In Sermon Illustrations: "Mean People"

Prophecies Of The Messiah

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 21, 2020

The Bible Passes The Prophecy Test! There are literally thousands of prophetic predictions made in the Bible. Some of these prophecies are quite dramatic in nature. For instance, Isaiah mentions Cyrus the Persian King, by name, 125 years before he was born. Not a single one prophecy made in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Messiah, Christmas, Jesus, Prophecy, Inspiration, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroes: Abraham’s Cook

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 23, 2021

Introduction: Cooks, those who prepare meals for others, are not mentioned very often in the Bible. Their roles and functions were important, no matter where they were. In this passage, Abraham was surprised to see three Unexpected Guests arrive at his tent “in the heat of the day”. Following ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8

Tags: Unsung Heroes, Cooks, Abraham, Servants

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes-These Men Of Damascus Saved Saul’s Life!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 22, 2021

Text, Acts 9:23-25, KJV: 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. Thoughts: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:23-25, 2 Corinthians 11:32-33

Tags: Persecution, Saul Of Tarsus, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

A New Year Devotional

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 22, 2022

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other! In fact, here are some startling stats about typical resolutions for the new year in America: • 27% break their resolutions by the first week of January. • 31% lose their resolutions by the second week of January. • 41% ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, Numbers 6:24-26

Tags: Things, Devotional, Blessings, Resolutions, Peace, Happiness, Joy, Hope, Finances, New Year  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fun Facts About The Month Of March

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

Undoubtedly, March is the best month of the year for many people. It is the month that can have a new climate as well as events that make March unique from other months. Every individual has something to appreciate this time of year. Did you know that March was considered the start of the New Year ...read more

Tags: Time, Seasons, Feasts, Holidays, Birth, Aging, Change, History  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glory Of Springtime

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 30, 2023

Don’t you just love spring? It’s simply glorious. Trees blooming. Plants blossoming. It’s all so beautiful. Unless of course you were looking at my front yard earlier this year. Last summer we bought three bushes that looked so promising. The leaves were supposed to turn all kinds of spectacular ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23, Romans 5:2

Tags: Galatians 5, Hope, Fruit, Life, Maturity, Fruit Of The Spirit, Trees, Bible, Grace, Forgiveness, Church, Spring, Perseverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Losing Someone Or Something Is Very Heartbreaking

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Oct 17, 2023

In the midst of an unforgiving tempest, a cataclysmic convergence of nature's wrath struck with an unforgiving fury. Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands found themselves entangled in the merciless grip of a relentless tsunami. At that fateful moment, I stood as the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-4, Isaiah 41:10, Galatians 6:2, Matthew 25:35-36, Luke 15:11-32, Psalm 107:28-30, Philippians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Tsunami Survival Tale, Banda Aceh, Andaman, Nicobar, Heartbreaking, Church, Earthquake, Care, Indonesia, Panicking, Islands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Illustration – The Coffee Cup

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 18, 2024

AN ILLUSTRATION – THE COFFEE CUP I don’t prefer strong coffee for it has a couple of effects on me. My wife bought these coffee bags that had “intense” on the packets. I know I might horrify some people but I found I could use these coffee bags 4 times. They only need to be in hot water for a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1, 1 John 2:16-17, 1 John 1:8-10

Tags: Adulterated, Sin Is Subtle, Sin, Deceived, Coffee, Coffee Mug  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[018] A Message From A Poem - America, America, How You Blaspheme!

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

[018] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AMERICA, AMERICA, HOW YOU BLASPHEME! I find it so offensive to hear cursing and the Lord’s name taken in vain by someone trying to be assertive or big note himself. In fact so much of the relatively modern cinema is full of blasphemy. I hear speeches and listen to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:13-14, Colossians 4:6, Leviticus 18:21, Exodus 20:7

Tags: America, Speech, Blasphemy, Cursing, The Name Of The Lord In Vain  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Observation About A Billboard Worker

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 24, 2024

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, KJV: 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. How many of you have seen anybody changing the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, John 15:5

Tags: Assistance, Billboards, Clergy Appreciation Month

Denomination: Baptist

Some Thoughts On The Death Of A Child

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 1, 2024

Introduction: The death of a loved one is never easy to bear. The death of a child is no doubt even worse. Not counting wars, murder, enslavement, or any other heinous act, there were a number of people in both the Old and New Testaments who suffered the death of a child. Thanks be to God, I have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:22-23

Tags: David, Children, Death Of Infants

Denomination: Baptist

[049]. A Message From A Poem – Christmas With The Shepherds

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 7, 2025

[049]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHEPHERDS This is a very simple poem. I was asked to write a poem for Christmas by a friend who was doing religious instruction at a school and it is aimed at younger children. Although I do not agree with the trappings of Christmas as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Poetry, Poem, Shepherds, Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[059]. A Message From A Poem – Distressful Times Will Come Upon Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 13, 2025

[059]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DISTRESSFUL TIMES WILL COME UPON US Are you battling in life because of some problem that won’t go away? Are you weighed down by a stressful matter and can’t shake it? Does your life feel like it is starting to come apart? Do you feel the storms are thundering ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Anxiety, Anxious, Distress, Cast, Heavy Laden, I Am With You Always, Stressful, Stressful Living  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Biblical Proof The Creator Of Heaven And Earth Wrote The Bible

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

Biblical Proof the Creator of Heaven & Earth also Wrote the Bible Hebrews 3:4 “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” A house does not build itself. A creation cannot create itself! Christ has built all things for He is God! (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:4

Tags: Inspiration Of The Bible, Science In The Bible

Denomination: Baptist

[186]. A Message From A Poem – Musings On Being In Heaven

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 5, 2025

[186]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MUSINGS ON BEING IN HEAVEN This is a lovely poem FOR ME, which is why I wrote it. How much do we think of heaven? I am afraid some are so earth-bound that they give little thought to heaven. Do we know what heaven will be like? Of course we do not. We can only ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:9

Tags: Christian Poems, The Third Heaven, Jesus, Heaven, Center  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sowing Seeds

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 13, 2026

Philippians 4:8 (MSG) Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Conclusion: Many ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Reaping, Sowing Seeds

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Young Girl Grows Up On A Cherry Orchard Just ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. "I hate you!" she screams at her father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Tags: God's Love, God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Welcome Home, Parable Prodigal Son, New Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[112]. A Message From A Poem – Has Warmth Of Nearness Changed To Coolness?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2025

[112]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAS WARMTH OF NEARNESS CHANGED TO COOLNESS? INTRODUCING THE POEM: Our walk with the Lord is not always one on a smooth, sinless road. There is joy; there are times of peace, times of praise, times of contentment, but there are also times of hardship, times of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-4, Psalm 42:5-8, Psalm 42:9-11

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Waning, Failure, Forgotten, Despair, Cold, Backsliding, Cast Down, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[244]. A Message From A Poem – Being A Part Of The Body

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 26, 2025

[244]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEING A PART OF THE BODY I would call this an unusual but interesting poem. The message is an important one though because so much is involved – harmony, nurture, compassion, serving one another, building up the Body of Christ. The poem came to me with the first ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-6, Ephesians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 12:27

Tags: One Another, The Body Of Christ, Members Of The Body, Christian Poems, All Have Gifts, Part Of The Body, Comfort, Help, One Body, Gifts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Carl's Gospel Garden  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2011

CARL'S GOSPEL GARDEN He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Tags: Christian Witness