In Sermon Illustrations: "Memories About Dad"

John Macarthur: Christ Was Born To Die

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 14, 2014

John MacArthur: "The reason that Jesus Christ was born was to die. It greatly concerns me today that there are some who are always talking about the fact that Jesus was a wonderful person who through a set of circumstances got Himself into a mess and wound up getting crucified. However, the Word ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:23

Tags: Foreknowledge, Cross Of Christ, Cross Of Calvary

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He'll Keep His Word

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 7, 2014

Daniel Overdorf: I visited a friend in the hospital. He had neared the end of an extended battle with cancer. The chemotherapy had taken most of his ability to think. I read some Scripture passages to him about God's promises, unsure if he even heard me, then I prayed. As I turned to leave the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:6-13

Tags: Cross, Covenant

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas And Atheism

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 16, 2019

The famed Austrian psychologist Carl Jung once wrote about a life without God: “Those psychiatrists who are not superficial have come to the conclusion that the vast neurotic misery of the world could be TERMED a neurosis of emptiness. Men cut themselves off from the root of their being, from God ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Faith, Atheism, Emptiness, Existence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baptism

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Jun 19, 2020

The story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the rite, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king's foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Tags: Baptism, Suffering

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is Jonah In Heaven Or Not?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

Atheist to girl: “You don’t believe there is a real Jonah who was swallowed by a whale do you? No one believes that stuff any more!” Girl – “I sure do, and when I get to Heaven, I’m going to find Jonah and talk to him about it!" Then the atheist laughed and said mockingly, “And what if ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Humor, Miracles, Atheists, Bible, Faith, Jonah, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Goes God's Dollar!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2022

A young boy was invited to church by one of his friends. On the way out the door, his mother handed him two dollars. Then she said, "There is one for you and for God when they pass the offering plate!" As the boy walked along with his friend, the wind blew one of the dollars right out ...read more

Tags: Money, Church, Giving, Stewardship, Pastors, Tithing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Scratch Resistant

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 6, 2022

I was emailing with a friend about the intense testing we all seemed to be experiencing when she emailed back to me: I think a very good analogy for the unending intense spiritual attacks is to liken it to how a diamond is formed… Diamonds are formed under extreme pressure and intense heat, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:9

Tags: Endurance, Fiery Trials, Spiritual Strength, Refining, Tests, Spiritual Attacks  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Getting Along

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 7, 2023

I read this account from Readers Digest: To save money, I suggested to one of my grown sons that we all live together in one house. I could tell he didn’t think it would be cost-effective when he asked, Who’s going to pay the therapist? That is something to think about. We love our families, but ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Conflict, Gossip, Harmony, Arguments, Bickering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Proving That Jesus Won't Sin

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

As the Union Pacific railroad was being constructed • There is a story about an elaborate trestle bridge that was built across a large canyon out West • Wanting to test the bridge the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload • The train was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Jesus Can't Sin, Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Look And Listen

Contributed by David Parks on Oct 11, 2023

Stop Look and Listen Early in the 20th century, with the advent of the automobile, the country's largest railroad became concerned about the many collisions at crossings. The company offered $2,500 for the three best words to use on a warning sign. The top prize winner was paid $833 for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21, Romans 10:17, Psalm 19:1

Tags: Spirituality, Materialism, Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

One blogger wrote: “Today, I was at work, nonchalantly spinning my keys around my finger when they flew off and hit a glass cabinet. Broken glass showered passing customers. I don't think I'll have a job to go to tomorrow.” Or how about this one: “Today, I went to my parents' place to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Tags: Happenings, Life, Mistakes, Disappointment, Surprises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Real St. Nick  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 9, 2002

THE REAL ST NICK A vast multitude was imprisoned in every place," wrote an eyewitness. "The prisons -- prepared for murders and robbers -- were filled with bishops, priests, and deacons ... so there was no longer room for those condemned of crimes."[1] You’d hardly expect to find old St. Nick ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Artesian Forgiveness!" Matthew 5: 43-48 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 30, 2004

“Artesian Forgiveness!” Matthew 5: 43-48 Key verse(s): 46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Here at Beech Springs one of the things that sets these few acres apart is the artesian well that highlights our front yard. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Kindness

Denomination: Lutheran

Afraid Of Christmas?" Luke 2: 8-14 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 21, 2004

“Afraid of Christmas?” Luke 2: 8-14 Key verse(s): 10: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” “If I hear one more person wish me a “Happy Holiday!” I think I will just burst!” How often have you heard that over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Lutheran

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

To Scam Or Not To Scam That Is The Phone Call

Contributed by James Snyder on May 22, 2021

One day this past week, I decided to stay home and catch up on a little bit of reading. It's not often that I take a day and not go to the office and just pander around the house. Sometimes it's necessary to do such a thing, and I don’t do it often enough. The Gracious Mistress of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Scam, Reading

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Wherever They Are I Will Find Them

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 12, 2022

Recently, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her spouse took a short vacation that was long overdue. Vacations are very hard to organize and schedule when you have a busy life. But, thanks to the ingenuity of my wife, we were able to plan out a vacation. The motel we stay in is owned by ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:22

Tags: Thriftstore, Bargin

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Oh My What A Nice Slice Of Pie

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 13, 2022

Whenever things go better than you can imagine, it is always a red flag to pay attention because something is wrong. I don’t always catch it, and I have paid the price. One day this past week, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and our daughters and granddaughters planned a girl’s day. I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:4

Tags: Together, Sharing

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

Scooping Up Manna

Contributed by Paul Davidson on Jan 27, 2021

I wrote the following poem titled “Scooping Up Manna” on March 3rd, 2011 as an entry in my private journal during a time of great internal struggle and turmoil over whether or not I would choose to be obedient to follow after God. This poem is based on the Biblical account found in Numbers ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

Tags: Sacrifice, Obedience, Purpose, Meaning, Regret, Struggle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist