In Sermon Illustrations: "Means Of Grace"

Sifted Like Wheat

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

A rooster’s crow announced the dawn. This dawn was not the sunrise, still hours away, but the dawn of Peter’s realization of what he had done. Like the first rays of the sun slicing through the night’s darkness, Peter awakened to his sin and its gravity. It cut him to the core of his being, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32

Tags: Peter, Betrayal Of Christ, Sifted, Rehabilitation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beginning Again  PRO

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 29, 2016

BEGINNING AGAIN The opening lines of a poem by Louisa Fletcher express this plaintive wish: I wish that there were some wonderful place Called the "Land of Beginning Again," Where all our mistakes, and all our heartaches, And all of our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3-8

Tags: Resolution, Born Again, New Year, New Start

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unsung Heroes: The Devout Men Who Buried Stephen

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 25, 2021

Text, Acts 8:1-2, KJV: 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-2

Tags: Martyrdom, Stephen, Devout Men

Denomination: Baptist

Delete Or Repeat

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 27, 2022

Delete or Repeat Choosing What We Carry Forward Picture your life as a computer desktop crowded with files. Each one represents a memory, a habit, a choice, or an experience. Some files are useful and frequently opened. Others are outdated, damaged, or simply take up space—slowing everything ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15, Isaiah 43:18-19, 1 John 1:8-9, Philippians 3:12-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Future, Goals, New Year, Tomorrow, Commitments, Starting The Year  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Start Matters

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 19, 2024

I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was my sixth-grade field day when all the elementary schools gathered for a series of track and field events at the town’s high school track. It was a sunny New England spring morning and I was representing Glen Forest Elementary School in the 50-yard ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:8, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5

Tags: Prayer, Meditation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Are So Many Not Healed?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 11, 2024

WHY ARE SO MANY NOT HEALED? Lack of Biblical Faith This is a slippery slope that can end with someone believing it is their fault they are not healed. Much like the people who asked Jesus if the reason someone was sick was because it was their fault. Even a little faith is pleasing to God. But no ...read more

Tags: Medicine, Gift Of Healing, Faith, Healing, Prayer, Miracles, Health, Sickness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Miracles Through Prayer In China

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 15, 2024

In his book Sit, Walk, Stand, Watchman Nee describes a preaching mission to an island off the South China coast. There were seven in the ministering group, including a sixteen-year-old new convert whom he calls Brother Wu. The island was fairly large, containing about 6,000 homes. Nee had a contact ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Prayer, Miracles, China, Rain, Elijah, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bridle The Tongue

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Now, it’s time to talk about how to bridle the tongue. A bridle is a small but powerful tool designed for communication and control. Whether with a bit or a bitless attachment, it allows a rider to guide a horse with subtle movements. A well-trained horse responds to the slightest cue, needing ...read more

Scripture: James 3:7-8

Tags: Words, Tongue, Horse, Bridle

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[042] A Message From A Poem – Christ In Me And I In Him

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 2, 2025

[042] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRIST IN ME AND I IN HIM I meant this to be a personal, yet touching poem. The title – Christ in me and I in Him” can be taken as a one-way dialogue between two people, the Lord and me. I am sharing with my Saviour the thoughts in my mind. (A personal chat). On ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24, Mark 6:49-50, Acts 18:9

Tags: Wheat, Prayer, Poem, Christ In Me, A Grain Of Wheat, Personal Chat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[079]. A Message From A Poem – Faithful, Lord, You Are To Me And Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[079]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFUL, LORD, YOU ARE TO ME AND US [THIS IS WHAT I WROTE IN 2022]. Recently I had to go to Townsville for a major ear operation to address a problem I have had for over a year and which would not be treated at the local Queensland State hospital because they ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:20, Romans 8:27-28

Tags: Problem, Ear Operation, Townsville, Caring God, Faithful, Victory, Help, Poetry, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[154]. A Message From A Poem – Jesus Christ My Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 6, 2025

[154]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JESUS CHRIST MY LORD This is a factual poem about Jesus Christ the Lord. I won’t list all the things I said in the poem. Read through and see them as you go. Jesus is my Lord but only those who have surrendered to Him can say that. {{John 13:13 “You call Me ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14, John 13:13, John 1:1-2, Revelation 19:16, Philippians 2:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Lord, The Word, King Of Kings, Lord Of Lords, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Christ Is Lord, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Author's Miraculous Testimony On Psalm 91

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2025

Christian author, William MacDonald had a miraculous testimony about Psalm 91. He began by saying: "Psalm 91 is my Psalm. In 1922, in the Western Hebrides, a five-year-old lad was dying of diphtheria. A mucous membrane was forming across his throat, and breathing was becoming increasingly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Fortress, Eternal Life, Refuge, Cross Of Christ, Messianic Prophecies, Fear, Protection, Resurrection, Trust, Overcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[229]. A Message From A Poem - Rededication Based On 1 Corinthians 5:7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 16, 2025

[229]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEDICATION BASED ON 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 This poem is a penitent’s response to sin in his/her life. I think a lot of us would know David’s prayer and confession in Psalm 51. Christians are not sinless people and the people who have a holiness teaching, and carry it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 1:8-9, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Conviction, Besetting Sin, Falling Into Sin, Christian Poems, Old Leaven, Forgiveness, Sin, Confession, Repentance, Rededication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[232]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections On The Christian Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 20, 2025

[232]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The poem explores some aspects of our faith. Each stanza makes a statement beginning with "What". STANZA 1 – Christ is glorified, and one day we will share in that glory. STANZA 2 – As perfect Man Jesus helps us in our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Titus 2:13, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 2:18, 1 Peter 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Poems, Comes To Our Aid, Glory, Worship, Hope, Help, Helpless, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[252]. A Message From A Poem – The 21st Of December 2020

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 7, 2026

[252]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE 21ST OF DECEMBER 2020 This poem bounces around a bit as we look at the long day, and the daylight, and THE LIGHT. The unending day of salvation also is considered. The anchor is “the longest day” that starts with being saved, and is an everlasting day which ...read more

Scripture: John 3:36, Matthew 5:14, John 9:4-5

Tags: Day, The Light Of The World, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Longest Day Of The Year, Night, Light, Salvation, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shoveling Snow

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 3, 2026

It was frigid—bone-chilling—and we had another heavy snowfall. When I opened my garage door, I quickly realized that looking at the big picture wouldn’t be helpful. Instead, I needed to focus on just one shovel of snow at a time. Blinders would have been useful, so that I wouldn’t see to the left ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-21

Tags: Slow Down, Trials

Denomination: Methodist

Fresh ...

Contributed by Shawn Kelly on Oct 19, 2008

FRESH START Colossians 3:12 - 17 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Some Years Ago I Read The Story Of A Young Girl ...  PRO

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 3, 2004

Some years ago I read the story of a young girl that came what became well known as Covenant House here in L.A…. “She came to our front door Tuesday morning, dressed in dirty rags, holding a little aluminum paint can in her arms. From the second she stepped inside our shelter, she mystified us. ...read more

Tags: Death, Betrayal

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Phillip Keller Visited A Potter In Pakistan A...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

Phillip Keller visited a potter in Pakistan and gained the most understanding ever of the meaning found in "Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven." The words of the prophet came to mind: "Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words" (Jer. 18:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Tags: Lord's Prayer

Manuscript Evidence Of The Bible

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Do we have any of the originals of the Bible's 66 books? NO. Not 1. But, we do have enough pieces of the cross to build several crosses, and enough other relics to rebuild several sacred objects several times over. Get the point? Anytime something of religious significance survives the ages, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Apologetics, Truth, Word Of God, Biblical Manuscripts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational