In Sermon Illustrations: "Ministry To Others"

Will Rogers Said, "You Can Summarize American ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 30, 2010

Will Rogers said, "You can summarize American History into two great movements: the passing of the Buffalo and The passing of the buck." (From a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:24-25

Tags: America, Others, Seeing Jesus

Hardships Further His Kingdom  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 6, 2011

HARDSHIPS FURTHER HIS KINGDOM Bill Hybels' The Power of a Whisper (p.110-111): "Don't ever buy into the idea that everything God prompts His followers to do will be uncomplicated or low-cost. Sometimes God asks His children to carry heavy loads, as He did with the apostle Paul. But even--and ...read more

Tags: Love, Others, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gift Of Honor  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 12, 2011

GIFT OF HONOR Football practice was over, and Denny was sore from head to toe. Slowly he climbed the graffiti-laden stairway of the aging apartment building. Suddenly, his mother’s chilling screams pierced the cold, still air. He had heard the sound many times before. Still, a sickening knot ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Tags: Power Source, Forgiveness For Others

My Prayer For Those Who Need To Forgive

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 27, 2014

Lord, my heart has been wounded by someone who hurt me deeply. I have been very angry and bitter because this happened and I have not been able to let go of the pain. I have wondered many times where You were when this happened to me. I acknowledge that a spirit of unforgiveness has overtaken me ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-20

Tags: Forgiveness, Prayer, Forgiving Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Helping Open A Package

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 9, 2020

Some years back I noticed a male co-worker, trying to open a package of a certain candy product for his significant other. Now, we all understand the need for security in packaging and other things, but this package was sealed above and beyond the call of duty! Most of the time, each package would ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Tags: Help, Kindness, Assisting Others

Denomination: Baptist

In Point Man, Steve Farrar Tells The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Oct 27, 2004

In Point Man, Steve Farrar tells the story of George McCluskey. When McCluskey married and started a family, he decided to invest one hour a day in prayer, because he wanted his kids to follow Christ. After a time, he expanded his prayers to include his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the startled interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13

Tags: Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples, Spiritual Gifts, Volunteers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church's Role In Parenting

Contributed by Rodney Bowen on Feb 7, 2013

THE CHURCH'S ROLE IN PARENTING Recently reviewing the new book by Dr. Tim Kimmel title, CONNECTING CHURCH & HOME, I found my mind and heart really pierced with the current state of our in-church parenting. Churches and families need each other. And no, I am not referring to our family’s use of ...read more

Tags: Children, Family, Parenting, Christian Life, Family Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Future Generations  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

PRAYER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS In Point Man, Steve Farrar tells the story of George McCluskey. When McCluskey married and started a family, he decided to invest one hour a day in prayer, because he wanted his kids to follow Christ. After a time, he expanded his prayers to include his grandchildren ...read more

Tags: Family

Before Her Death, Judy Lawson Became A Spiritual ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

Before her death, Judy Lawson became a spiritual Mother of scores of hardened criminals. "On her last Mother’s Day," according to Bill Myers, "she received 40 Mother’s Day cards from men whose life she touched." Her prison ministry began eighteen months after her son was brutally murdered. She knew ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Baptist

Roll-Up-Your-Shirt-Sleeves Christianity  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2009

ROLL-UP-YOUR-SHIRT-SLEEVES CHRISTIANITY When DAVE THOMAS died in early 2002, he left behind more than just thousands of Wendy’s restaurants. He also left a legacy of being a practical, hard-working man who was respected for his down-to-earth values. Among the pieces of good advice that have ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Luke 10:1-10, Romans 15:1-13

Tags: Faith Vs. Works

There Is A Story Of A Young Hippie Who Gave His ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 16, 2001

There is a story of a young hippie who gave his life to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the late sixties and early seventies. One Sunday he went to a church, not knowing it was one of the more “upper class” churches in the area. He was late to the service, and the pastor was about to begin ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-4

Tags: Jesus' Ministry, Christian Love, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

When God Opened An Unexpected Door For Cliff Barrows

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 10, 2024

Dr. James Dobson wrote a book entitled When God Doesn’t Make Sense, and, in his book, he shared an illustration that is very applicable to the point being drawn from this particular verse. Take a moment and reflect upon the following story: In 1945, a young associate pastor named Cliff married his ...read more

Tags: Will Of God, Call To Ministry, Open Doors, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A.w. Tozer On The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Great Quote by A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit: "If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would know the difference! .I do not believe in a REPETITION of Pentecost, but I do ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Power, Pastors, Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Ways To Minister Like The Good Samaritan

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

As we study the characteristics of the Good Samaritan, let’s ask ourselves if these qualities are true of us as well. He opened his eyes. Although all three men physically saw the critically wounded man, only the Samaritan looked and stopped to help. Before we can meet needs, we must be aware of ...read more

Tags: Service, Ministry, Parables, Neighbor, Kindness, Good Samaritan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Babel And Pentecost In Contrast

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

"Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessings at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. At Babel, the people were unable to understand each other, but at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Revival, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Alexander Whyte Said, “ It Would Change ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 23, 2001

Alexander Whyte said, “ It would change your whole heart and life this very (day) if you would take Peter and Cornelius home with you and lay them both to heart. If you would take a four cornered napkin when you get home, and a…. Pen and ink and write the names of the nations, and the churches, and ...read more

Tags: Holiness, God's Provision, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Girl’s Prayer: A Little Girl Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mccutchen on Jan 26, 2001

A little girl’s Prayer: A little girl was being punished by eating alone in the corner of the dining room. The family paid no attention to her until they heard her pray: “I thank Thee, Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 5:16-18, Matthew 6:3-20, Psalm 145:8-21

Tags: Compassion, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Martin Luther Put It This Way In The First Of ...  PRO

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 2, 2000

Martin Luther put it this way in the first of the 95 theses he nailed to the door of the Wittenberg church: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said ’repent,’ He ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Confession Of Sin, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: *other

For Many People Today The Spiritual Journey Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

For many people today the spiritual journey is filled with crushing burdens. I think of the character Rodrigo from the 1986 academy award winning movie The Mission. Rodrigo, played by Robert DeNiro, portrays a slave trader who kills his brother in a fit of rage. He’s filled with such terrible ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-13, Ephesians 1:1

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Guilt, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational