In Sermon Illustrations: "Missed Opportunity"

The Higher Educational Attainment Of Women Born ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 6, 2006

The higher educational attainment of women born after WWII has contributed greatly to the changing roles of women in society. With the same educational advantages as men, women expect the same opportunities. While many will still encounter obstacles to advancement, young women will continue to ...read more

Tags: Women

New York City's Mayor David N. Dinkins, When ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

New York City’s Mayor David N. Dinkins, when urged by Manhattan officials to buy some property thought to be an "extraordinary opportunity for the city," said: "If they’re selling elephants two for a quarter, that’s a great bargain. But only if you ...read more

Tags: Money

The Antonym Of Joy  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 9, 2001

THE ANTONYM OF JOY Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence ...read more

Tags: Discouragement, Doubt, Disappointment, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Larry Crabb Wrote "The Difference Between ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 3, 2007

Larry Crabb wrote “The difference between spiritual and unspiritual community is not whether conflict exists, but is rather in our attitude toward it and our approach to handling it. When conflict is seen as an opportunity to draw more fully on spiritual resources, we have the makings of spiritual ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

There Are But Two Ways Which Lead To Great Aims ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"There are but two ways which lead to great aims and achievementsenergy and perseverance. Energy is a rare giftit provokes opposition, hatred, and reaction. But perseverance lies within the affordings of everyone, ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Those Who Refuse To Make New Years Resolutions ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Those who refuse to make New Years resolutions because they always break them anyway are missing the point. Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:17, Psalm 121:7

Tags: New Year's Day

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Says It Like This; "The Path ...

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 19, 2007

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says it like this; "The path of discipleship is narrow, and it is fatally easy to miss one’s way and stray from the path, even after years of discipleship. And it is ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missionaries New Post– Husband ...

Contributed by Robert Clark on Jun 19, 2009

Illustration: Missionaries new post– husband missing – wife worried - hears native drums – fear/what if’s – husband returns with friendly natives bearing anniversary gifts - wife ...read more

Tags: Worry

Denomination: Methodist

If Every Christian Is Already Considered A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2006

"If every Christian is already considered a missionary, then all can stay put where they are, and nobody needs to get up and go anywhere to preach the gospel. But if our only concern is to witness where we are, how will people in unevangelized areas ever hear the gospel? The present uneven ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?

A Recent Poll Of 5,000 Students Concluded That 46 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2006

A recent poll of 5,000 students concluded that 46 percent of them would cheat on an important test. Thirty-six percent said they would cover for a friend who vandalized school property, while only 24 percent would tell the truth. Five percent would steal ...read more

Somebody Asked Winston Churchill One Time What ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 8, 2001

Somebody asked Winston Churchill one time what most prepared him to lead Great Britain through WW2? This was Churchill’s response: "It was the time I repeated a class in grade school." The questioner said, "You mean you flunked a grade?" Churchill ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Endurance, Leadership General

Leonard Sweet, Church Historian, Author And ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 13, 2007

Leonard Sweet, Church historian, author and futurist, says in his book “Aqua Church” that we are in a very “unstable, unsteady and turbulent postmodern world.” Sweet goes on to offer that “what we face can be seen as a threat, but also as an opportunity of perhaps unprecedented proportions.” (p. 8) ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Call Forward Everyone In Your Church Born Since ...

Contributed by Todd Pugh on Jan 14, 2008

Call forward everyone in your church born since Roe v Wade. This is a powerful illustration of loss in abortion. It also give opportunity to thank mothers who have sacrificed in order to raise children. I didn’t start explaining the illustration until after the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

9/11 And Evil

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 12, 2009

9/11 AND EVIL For some years many people have claimed that there is no such thing as evil. However, when 9/11 happened almost no one disputed the claims of President Bush: "America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no ...read more

Tags: Hatred

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

D.l. Moody Had A Keen Memory For Names And Faces. ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on May 9, 2002

D.L. Moody had a keen memory for names and faces. If one of his children was missing from Sunday school, he knew it, and he would do everything possible to find out why. One day he saw an absentee coming down the street, so he took off after her. She ran down the sidewalk, across the street, and ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

When Youre My Age, Its As If Youre A Car. First ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"When youre my age, its as if youre a car. First a tire blows, and you get that fixed. Then a headlight goes and you get that fixed. And then one day you drive into a garage and the ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

When I Was An Insurance ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Jan 25, 2010

When I was an insurance salesman! I lost customers because I was honest – wouldn’t miss rate policies. Just as I had a conviction to be honest and trust God, so must you have ...read more

Tags: Sin Hurtful To God

Denomination: Baptist

To Say That Jesus Died, Or Just That He Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 20, 2002

To say that Jesus died, or just that he was executed, misses the barbarism of the way in which he died. The full sadism of human nature was brought to bear on him. It was a shameful and degrading ...read more

The Good Memories Are All Of Stopping And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The good memories are all of stopping and staying awhile. I realize Ive always driven too fast through life, carrying in my baggage too much impatience and apprehension, missing ...read more

Tags: Memories

We Live By Faith: But The Symbols Of Bread And ...  PRO

Contributed by Ronald Keller on Apr 6, 2003

We live by faith: But the symbols of bread and wine give us some insight into the life and sufferings of Jesus. He gave his all to give us all eternal life.(Illustration: This past week, I have had opportunity to have two lunches with fellow pastors, John and Juan. About two years ago, one of ...read more

Tags: Lord's Supper

Denomination: Nazarene