In Sermon Illustrations: "Might"

The Place Of Abundant Adventure

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 26, 2012

THE PLACE OF ABUNDANT ADVENTURE Mike Slaughter tells the story of going to Darfur, Africa to minister to the refugees. "It was the first time in my life I knew I was going into a situation with a probability I could die; a situation that was utterly dangerous. There were people with guns. We would ...read more

Tags: Sacrifices

Denomination: Methodist

The Vacuum Salesman  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2012

THE VACUUM SALESMAN A vacuum salesman down in rural Tennessee. He had a his vacuum cleaner and all of this tools and everything, and he went out there and he told a lady, "I’ve got the most exciting vacuum cleaner you have ever seen. It will clean your house from top to bottom...you only have to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-49, Mark 9:48-50, Leviticus 2:12-14

Tags: Power

The Probability Of Jesus Fulfilling Messianic Prophecy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

In his book, Science Speaks, Peter Stoner applies the modern science of probability to just eight Messianic prophecies regarding Christ. He says, "The chance that any man might have fulfilled all eight prophecies is one in 10 to the 17th. That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000." (one ...read more

Tags: Messianic Prophecy, Old Testament, Christmas, Jesus, Science, Miracles, Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seizing Opportunity

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

The ancient allegory of 'Occasio' or 'Opportunity' is represented by a unique statue. This figure is often depicted as a youth with a peculiar hairstyle: lush and long in the front but completely bald at the back. The imagery is profound in its symbolism. The long lock of hair at ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10

Tags: Moment, Decisive, Hesitation, Consequence, Fleeing, Opprotunity, Commitment, Action, Seize  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Al Mohler's Theological "triaging"

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 11, 2024

Many readers will be familiar with Al Mohler’s helpful analogy of “theological triage” in which he speaks of first-order, second-order, and third-order doctrines. (Note - this is a theological statement about the Bible, not a clear biblical statement from Scripture. It is one author trying to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Church, Discernment, Unity, Doctrine, Heresy, Pastors, False Teaching, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Contentious Spirit - Speaking Strife

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Here’s a fun fact: You don’t actually have to correct someone when they’re wrong. Shocking, I know! There’s no official appointment letter naming you Earth’s Guardian of Truth and Accuracy. (If there is, it probably got lost in the mail.) Sometimes, it’s okay to just let it go—yes, even if they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 26:21

Tags: Contentious, Strife, Contentious Spirit

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Walter Cronkite Or God?" Joshua 1:1-9 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 21, 2005

“Walter Cronkite or God?” Joshua 1:1-9 Key verse(s): 5:“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Why is the world such a fearful place? It seems these days people are afraid of more ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Lutheran

Compassion In An Inner-City ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2009

Compassion in an Inner-City Church Feed the dogs. Touch the dumb, and find faith in places where you least expect it. This is what truly brings pleasure to our Lord, much more than any outward show of self-righteousness. There is church in the inner-city of Chicago that for me demonstrates this ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-15

Tags: Compassion

Take Hold Of Every Moment  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2002

TAKE HOLD OF EVERY MOMENT A friend of mine opened his wife’s drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package: "This, - he said - isn’t any ordinary package." He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box. "She got this the first time we went to New ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Fulfillment

Love Letter Ignored—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 17, 2002

LOVE LETTER IGNORED- COMMUNION MEDITATION When Robert Browning came into her life, Elizabeth Barrett was a 39-year-old invalid. Daughter of a jealous & dominating father, her first 4 books of poetry had been published when she was just 12 years old. At 15 she injured her spine, & the resulting ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Those Little Maybe's! (08.12.05--Character ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 11, 2005

Those Little Maybe’s! (08.12.05--Character Counts!--Romans 5: 3-4) A drought tests the metal of a man. It tests his fortitude and his faithfulness. It also tests his resourcefulness and his ingenuity. I come from a long line of “resourceful” folks who seemed to see in every bleak and forlorn ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Tags: Perseverance, Character, Diligence, Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

Head-Up And Head-On! (11.10.05--Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 8, 2005

Head-Up and Head-On! (11.10.05--Christian Soldiers!--James4:7) When you are afraid to take an action, it’s the first step that’s the hardest one to take. Our little dachshund Webley is a living example of that. Webley has always been afraid of stairs. It doesn’t matter if he is going up or coming ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Lutheran

Widow-Makers! (11.11.05--Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 9, 2005

Widow-Makers! (11.11.05--Christian Soldiers!--Ephesians 6:16-17) Beech trees tend to bend and grow at odd angles. When it comes to felling one, you have to do a bit more than simply cutting it down. First you need to determine which way the tree is leaning. Then you need to size-up the other ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16-17

Tags: Angles, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran

My Home Church Always Put On A Christmas Play ...

Contributed by J. Curtis Goforth, O.s.l. on Dec 30, 2006

My home church always put on a Christmas play with the children of the church. And one evening, I was being especially disruptive downstairs as some of the younger children were getting ready for their parts in the play, and my pastor came downstairs to try and bring us under some sort of control. ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

So I'm Going To Share With You A List I Came Up ...  PRO

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 10, 2007

So I’m going to share with you a list I came up with of Seven steps guaranteed to embitter your Children: 1. Discipline your child only when you lose your temper. Let him get away with everything, then without warning, let ‘em have it! Blow your top! Scream and Yell! Let ‘er Rip! Go Crazy! ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21

Tags: Children, Call, Leadership

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

They Will Give You Up  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 31, 2008

THEY WILL GIVE YOU UP Donald Grey Barnhouse led the son of a prominent American family to the Lord. He was in the service, but he showed the reality of his conversion by immediately professing Christ before the soldiers of his military company. The war ended. The day came when one of the ...read more

Tags: Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Baptist

Division In The Church

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 20, 2008

DIVISION IN THE CHURCH We might sum up the divisions in this church this way according to Parsons: i. "I follow Paul" -- This group may have taken the attitude that Paul started this church and he will always be the leader. These are the traditionalists. 1. They always live in the past and never ...read more

Tags: Divisions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ranger Creed

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2011

THE RANGER CREED Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment. Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Tags: Christian Values

Friends And Acquaintances?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 26, 2020

Junior high/middle school basketball is always fun to play, and more fun to watch. These youngsters have acquired some skill—more or less—and it’s still more for fun than for competition. Oh, sure, we wanted to win, and few athletes that don’t want to win will ever get very far in any kind of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:3

Tags: Youth, Book Of Life, Athletics, Friends, Relationship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes: Nabal's Servant

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 10, 2022

Introduction: David was God’s choice to be king over Israel, but that wasn’t going to happen as long as Saul was ruling as Israel’s first king. David had done some unusual, some might say questionable, things but at this time he and his men were protecting a large flock of sheep and goats. David ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:14-17

Tags: David, Nabal, Abigail, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist