In Sermon Illustrations: "Nearness"

William Cowper's

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2010

William Cowper’s "On Opening a Place for Social Prayer" In considering the audience of prayer, properly put, it is God, yet, it is the company of others that deserves prayer. William Cowper wrote this entitled: "On Opening a Place for Social Prayer" Jesus! where’er Thy people meet, There they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer, Prayer General

The Nobodies Of The Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 6, 2010

THE NOBODIES OF THE CHURCH Janet Reno, Attorney General of the United States during the Clinton administration, was interviewed on "60 Minutes" on June 26, 1999. She seems to hold this ancient opinion of Christians. Here is how she defined a cultist: "A cultist is one who has a strong belief in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Save One More For Jesus

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 9, 2010

Rick Warren about his dad- My father was a minister for over 50 years, serving in small churches. His favorite activity was taking teams of volunteers overseas to build church buildings for small congregations. In his lifetime, Dad built over 150 churches around the world. In 1999, my father ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dreams Of James Irwin

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Mar 21, 2011

THE DREAMS OF JAMES IRWIN It started like so many evenings--Mom and Dad at home and Jimmy playing after dinner. Mom and Dad were absorbed with jobs and did not notice the time. It was a full moon, and some of the light seeped through the windows. Then Mom glanced at the clock. "Jimmy, it's time to ...read more

Tags: Dreams

Denomination: Baptist

Harry And The Mountain

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jun 22, 2011

HARRY AND THE MOUNTAIN On March 17th of 1980, a radical thing took place in the state of Washington, something that hadn’t happened in at least 123 years. It started when an earthquake registering 4.1 on the Richter scale was reported near Mt. St. Helens in S.W Washington. Forest rangers were ...read more

Tags: Revelation

Working For Food

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

WORKING FOR FOOD I like the story of the rich executive who announced to his church one morning that he was going to give up all he owned so that he had to depend on his faith in God for everything he needed. He sold everything, gave it to the poor, and moved into a rented home down on the bad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Tags: Prayer Of Faith

The Silent Sermon  PRO

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Nov 17, 2011

THE SILENT SERMON A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending Services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: Apostolic

I Recently Read An Insightful Story That Would ...  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 8, 2012

I recently read an insightful story that would serve as a good reminder for us both as we prepare to part ways. The story is about a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. The view boasted a breathtaking peak of snowcapped rocks. On clear days the crested point reigned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Tags: Complaining, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Is Told Of A Prosperous, Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 13, 2012

The story is told of a prosperous, young investment banker who was driving a new BMW sedan on a mountain road during a snowstorm. As he veered around one sharp turn, he lost control and began sliding off the road toward a deep precipice. At the last moment he unbuckled his seat belt, flung open his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:13-15

Tags: Money, Materialism

Denomination: Baptist

Shannon's Sacrifice

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 25, 2012

SHANNON'S SACRIFICE It was March 24, 1998 in Westside Middle School near Jonesboro, Arkansas. A total of five people, four female students and a teacher, were killed at a school shooting. Ten people, nine students and one teacher, were injured. The perpetrators of the shooting were two students, ...read more

Tags: Sacrifices

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

William Randolph Hearst's Fear Of Death

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 7, 2012

WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST'S FEAR OF DEATH William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men of the 20th century. At the height of his media career he was worth over $500 million. He built an enormous castle in the hills near San Simeon, California. At more than ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18

Tags: Fear And Worry

Death And Resurrection

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 15, 2013

Our son, John learned a valuable lesson about death when he was a child. One day he took aim with his new BB gun at a little bird sitting on a limb near our back deck. He aimed and fired and hit his target and the bird collapsed to the ground. Dead. At first there was the excitement of being a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:19

Tags: Death, Resurrection

Denomination: Christian Church

Bobby Richardson - Witnessing In The World Series!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 17, 2017

Bobby Richardson is one of my spiritual heroes. What a blessing to meet this awesome witness for Christ who led Mickey Mantle to faith in Christ before he died. This story makes me love Bobby even more! It was the seventh game of the 1962 World Series between the New York Yankees and the San ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-20

Tags: Evangelism, Eternity, Gospel, Witnessing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy And Peace From A Child

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Dr. Bryant Kirkland, pastor of 5th Ave. Pres. Church in NY was traveling to do a series of sermons on the west coast. He needed time on that 3 hour flight to study and prepare, so he buckled down and let everyone near me feel the tension. His body language said, "Don't bother me, I'm a busy man ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Tags: Peace, Joy, Christ Child

Denomination: Methodist

"Example Of Ministry Team Work

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 25, 2018

It is a story about the friends of Herman Ostry, who lived near Bruno, Nebraska, and what did for him. From what I was told, a number of years ago Herman purchased a piece of property and put up a barn. Thins went well until the nearby creek flooded and put the floor of Herman’s new barn under 29 ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9, Romans 16:1-2

Tags: Serve One Another, Team Work

Denomination: Lutheran

A Story Of Adoption From India

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 24, 2019

In Bihar, India there is a man named Augustine Jubakumar. He leads a missions called Gospel Echoing Missionary Society. (Gems). In 2015 I had the privilege to visit India and teach in several bible schools and preach in several churches. GEMS includes schools, orphanages, bible schools, a hospital ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:4-7

Tags: Love, Salvation, Adoption

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Miracle Of The Dead Sea Scrolls

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

In 1947, Muhammad adh-Dhib, a twelve-year-old Arab boy, made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. While looking for a lost goat in Qumran, near the Dead Sea, he threw a stone into a cave and heard the sound of shattering pottery. Curious about the noise, he entered the cave ...read more

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

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Truth, Miracles, Dead Sea Scrolls  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He's My Father!!!!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 12, 2022

There is an old Roman story which tells how a Roman emperor was once enjoying a great victory. He had the privilege of marching his troops through the streets of Rome with all of his captured trophies, and his prisoners behind him. This emperor was marching with his troops; the streets were lined ...read more

Tags: Lord's Prayer, Heavenly Father, Father, Children, Worship, Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is He?

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

Where is the Hope of our salvation? Where is the cause of the celebration? Where is the One sent from above? Where is He, the Divine Gift of love? Where is He, born the Jewish King? Where is He of whom angels sing? Where is the One that shepherds seek? Where is He of whom wise men speak? Where is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Tags: Christmas Poems, Christmas, Advent, Birth Of Christ, Poetry, Presents  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Be Like The Llama And Face Your Enemy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

Reports the DENVER POST: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West, Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Word, Battles, Temptation, Victory, Defeat, Stand, Running, Spiritual Armor, Fear, Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational