In Sermon Illustrations: "Never Quit"

The Census At The Birth Of Jesus

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

Historians have been puzzled about the census. The one taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. While all this begins to explain why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Luke is making a point. The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God - in all its ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2

Tags: Mary And Joseph, Quirinus, Caeser Agustus, Bethlehem, Birth, Census  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

We Can't Know The Day - But We Can Know The Season When Christ Returns.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

Jesus specifically told us that there would be signs in the sky in the sun and moon and stars (Luke 21:25), and he told us to “look up”, as our redemption draws near. Believers need to look up when the "season" of His return arrives.   The apostle Paul had this to say about the ...read more

Tags: Rapture, Day Of The Lord, Return Of Christ, Seasons, Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship Is Showing Up

Contributed by Rob Roy on May 22, 2024

How does Jesus know we love him, what is the proof? By your witness, your gifts, your tithes, your prayers or presence. Did you know I joined twitter? I think the day I did I read several tweets, but never tweeted, and that was long before the 2020 election, and long before I came to Mt. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19

Tags: Worship, Showing Love

The Anaconda Attack

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

Lorrie Anderson, missionary to the head-shrinking Candoshi Shapra Indians of Peru, was looking for a quiet place for her daily time of Bible reading and prayer, so she went down by the edge of the river. After reading the Bible, she took up her prayer list. Eyes closed, she did not see the deadly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-10, Ephesians 6:10-18

Tags: Prayer, Miracles, Protection, Healing, Satan, Devil, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Life Sucks You In

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 6, 2025

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One moment, he was perched in his cage singing his little heart out. The next, his whole world collapsed. It started when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum cleaner. She took the nozzle off, stuck the hose inside, and at that very moment the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:2, Romans 8:28

Tags: Faith, Resilience

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

In The Summer Of 1988 I Found Myself Temporarily ...  PRO

Contributed by Jay Patton on May 16, 2002

In the summer of 1988 I found myself temporarily assigned to Camp Pendelton, California Marine Corps Base. I’d requested to go to search and rescue school and I had gotten my wish. Search and rescue, in case you didn’t know, is pretty much as it sounds. Whenever someone turns up missing, or an ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

The Conflict Of Character

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

THE CONFLICT OF CHARACTER “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” - James D. Miles As she poured hot coffee into his mug early that morning, she noticed the guard’s countenance was more contemplative than usual. He was a man with ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:9

Tags: Honesty, Christlike Character, Truth, Integrity

Denomination: Charismatic

Fear Of Aging

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.” - Jennifer Yane As you grow older, what’s inside you doesn’t change but your body changes, and it’s confusing to look in the mirror. If you live your life as though you are a perpetual image contestant, your age is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:3-4

Tags: Aging, Serving, Inner Beauty

Denomination: Charismatic

Getting Help From Above.

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Oct 4, 2015

I’ll never forget the day I became a dad. My wife and I had registered to adopt a child with our state’s Division of Youth and Family Services through BCFS. Then one day we got a call from them saying there was someone special they’d like us to meet. A baby still at the hospital was needing a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:4, Isaiah 43:1-7

Tags: Fatherhood, Dads

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baseball - The Curious Case Of Scooter Gennett

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 31, 2018

Baseball And The Curious Case Of Scooter Gennett Baseball is known for its surprises. It's a beautiful game that lets grown men play a kids game. For more than a century of baseball and thousands of games, only 16 men have homered four times in one game. The last was Josh Hamilton, five years ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Romans 5:1-4

Tags: Perseverance, Hope, Good News

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

French Fries  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 24, 2007

French Fries Like many modern fathers, I never seem to have enough time to spend with my children. So I was pleased that I had to "watch" the two boys last Saturday. We ran a couple of errands, got the car washed, and then they decided it was time for lunch. I asked them where they wanted to ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

[080]. A Message From A Poem – Faithfully He Is Watching

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[080]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFULLY HE IS WATCHING The poem here you will read is one of my top favourites. It resonates so much with me. It just flowed and when it does that it is joyous. I truly hope you can relate to it. This poem was written on the day I received notification that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:6, Job 1:21

Tags: Watching, God Hears, Forsake, Poem, Orphans, Cares, Abandoned, Faithful, Friendship, Deliverance, Merciful, Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Quotes On The Presence Of God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2022

If you have God's presence, you have favor. One minute of God's Presence can accomplish more than 20 years of your striving. - Heidi Baker If you have never known the power of God's love, then maybe it is because you have never asked to know it - I mean really asked, expecting an ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

Tags: Holy Spirit, Presence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Goodbye Ginger!" 1 Corinthians13: 8-13: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 13, 2004

“Goodbye Ginger!” 1 Corinthians13: 8-13: Key verse(s): 12: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” Yesterday, on a bright and sunny autumn day, Ginger died. Ginger was one of my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Tags: Death Nearness, Death

Denomination: Lutheran

Oh Please Don't Hit The Ball To Me!" Psalm ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 7, 2005

“Oh Please Don’t Hit the Ball to Me!” Psalm 116:1-6 Key verse(s): 3:“The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.” There is no greater temptation than separation from God. There are many things in this life that appear tempting and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-6

Tags: Innocent, Honest, Temptation Pride, Temptation Resisting, Truthful  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Remarks By President Bush  PRO

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Nov 11, 2006

Remarks by President Bush At Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration Arlington National Cemetery May 31, 2004 This morning I had the honor of placing a wreath before the Tomb of the Unknowns. This custom is observed every Memorial Day on behalf of the American people as a mark of ...read more

Tags: Memorial Day, Separation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer And 19th Century Revival

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

PRAYER AND 19TH CENTURY REVIVAL Dr. A. T. Pierson once said, "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." Let me recount what God has done through concerted, united, sustained prayer. [J. Edwin Orr. Personal Notes.] Not many people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-13

Tags: Prayer Persistence

A Minister And A Day Off His Rocker

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 5, 2019

I was tootling along one day last week, quite focused on getting my business for the day done. In fact, I was feeling good about the progress I was making with my “to-do list.” Nothing is more satisfying to me than the sense of being in control of my schedule. I love checking off items on my “to-do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Faith, Love, Trust, Hope, Surrender  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Oh, Those Alluring Lizardly Eyes

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 4, 2020

After months of planning and rearranging our schedule, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage finally organized a little vacation time for Christmas. It takes an awful lot of work for her and, I let her work as hard as she wants to work. That’s the kinda husband I am. She scheduled us to stay for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:3

Tags: Fear, Vacation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Being Nice Does Have Its Rewards

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 21, 2020

It was one of those weeks. It seems that every week of mine is "one of those weeks." Just when I think everything was looking fine, I discovered I was looking in the wrong direction. I should know better than thinking. Several problems developed with my vehicle, and I had to take it to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Tags: Nice, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance