In Sermon Illustrations: "New Beginning"

The Flat ...

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jul 3, 2008

The Flat Tire Two students were taking organic chemistry at the university. Having done well in their work and labs, they were both going into the final exam with solid A’s. So far, so good. Trouble was, they were so confident that they decided to party the night before the big test. It was a ...read more

Tags: Lies

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead To Sin, Remade In ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 21, 2008

DEAD TO SIN, REMADE IN CHRIST When Standard Oil Company began to refine petroleum, there was a black substance, a by-product, that no one knew what to do with. It was black, sticky, and stinky. It couldn’t be buried because it would just find its way to the surface again. It couldn’t be burned ...read more

Tags: Dead To Sin

Thoughts On Fasting

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 4, 2008

Thoughts on Fasting I begin this morning with a riddle, or, at least what I hope is a riddle. (Or maybe a pseudo-riddle). The riddle is a common experience several of us have had over the years. Here it is: "Some of us have had to do it more than once. It something that we know is for our own ...read more

Tags: Fast

Denomination: Church Of God

Graham's Flame In His Hand

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Nov 17, 2008

GRAHAM'S FLAME IN HIS HAND Billy Graham said this, "When I was a young biblical study major in college, I had questions that many young believers have. I struggled with what I thought were inconsistencies in the word of God, and therefore I had little power in my ministry. My anointing was ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Let Me Read A Quote From A Devotional By Os ...

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 19, 2008

Let me read a quote from a devotional by Os Hillman: When we first begin our spiritual journey we often make decisions from convenience. Often, we decide what the outcome is that we want and then make decisions based on the perceived outcome. If it is a positive outcome, then we will make an ...read more

Tags: Obedience

In A Poem Attributed To Archbishop Oscar Romero, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

In a poem attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero, entitled "Prophets of a Future Not Our Own," he states: "It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Will He Find Any Faith?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

WILL HE FIND ANY FAITH? Sherwood Eddy interviewed 25 young Communists in Moscow one day and asked each one how many hours he gave to the party each day. Not one of them gave less than three hours daily telling others about the virtues of communism. Some of them gave as much as nine hours each day ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Very Hard Work

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

VERY HARD WORK A favorite book for children is Frog And Toad Together by Arnold Lobel. Frog had a garden that Toad admired, and he wanted one too. So Frog told him: "It is very nice, but it was hard work." When he gave Toad some flower seeds, Toad quickly ran home and planted them. "Now seeds," ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

The Heizer Creek Baptism

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Note: this story happened to me - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. One of my favorite baptism stories comes from a friend of mine who owns a house on Heizer Creek. He had a nice spot on his property to do baptisms and told the nearby country churches they were welcome to use it anytime, which a few of ...read more

Tags: Change, Transformation, Cursing, Baptism

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Monkey Around With Eternity!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 31, 2022

I once heard about how animal catchers used to catch wild monkeys for zoos. I was told that they would set an empty glass pop bottle in an open field with a peanut dropped into it. Then they'd hide in the bushes and wait. After a while, a monkey would sneak up to the pop bottle, squeeze its paw ...read more

Tags: Satan, Discipleship, Temptation, Possessions, Eternity, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greedy Little Monkey

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2022

I once heard about how animal catchers used to catch wild monkeys for zoos. I was told that they would set an empty glass pop bottle in an open field with a peanut dropped into it. Then they'd hide in the bushes and wait. After a while, a monkey would sneak up to the pop bottle, squeeze its paw ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Money, Greed, Discipleship, Riches, Kingdom, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

3 Temptations Satan Uses Against Us

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

Eve’s descent into depravity is an illustration of James 1:14-15: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This is the Bible’s description of sin’s slippery ...read more

Scripture: James 1:14-15

Tags: Eve, Sin, Satan, Temptation, Garden Of Eden, Backsliding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Necrotizing Fasciitis

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 7, 2024

It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but it’s real. In recent years, scientists have discovered a kind of bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly called flesh eating bacteria. Once this bacterium enters a human body, it can multiply rapidly. Within 24 hours, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15

Tags: Bitterness, Unforgiveness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Please Be My Guest

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 29, 2024

My son and I visited Honduras several years ago, just before the pandemic. Compassion Canada workers escorted us to the home of a family that was receiving some of the funds we had raised for our sponsored children. The idea was to see how those gifts had been able to change dramatically the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:7, Matthew 25:38, Romans 12:13, 1 Corinthians 10:27

Tags: Guest, Hospitality, Receiving

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

One Of My All-Time Favorite Movies Is "Mr. ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 11, 2001

One of my all-time favorite movies is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s the story of a musician who really just wants to be a composer. Rather grudgingly, he takes a job teaching music at the local high school, supposing it will give him time to write music while providing an income for he and his wife. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Difficult To Find Beauty In Death. ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 18, 2001

It’s difficult to find beauty in death. It’s even more difficult to find beauty in a death camp. Especially Auschwitz. Four million Jews died there in World War II. A half-ton of human hair is still preserved. The showers that sprayed poison gas still stand. But for all the ugly memories of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Joy, Christian Disciplines, Cross Agony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bishop Lindsey's Story  PRO

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Sep 26, 2002

Bishop Lindsey’s Story I recently had the opportunity to hear our Bishop, Lindsey Davis, speak. He is an avid golfer, so much so in fact that when we went to Augusta for the North Ga Conference meeting they gave him a green jacket – I’m not sure why – I’m kidding I do know the significance of a ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Sharing Your Faith, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: United Methodist

The Year Was 1980, Bill Brodherst Who Hadn't Ran ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2003

The year was 1980, Bill Brodherst who hadn’t ran in any race since his high school days decided to begin training for a marathon known as the Pepsi Challenge 10k in Omaha Nebraska. Sending in his application, he wasn’t sure they would accept him as a participant, but soon the approval came back ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Tags: Church Small Groups, Fulfillment, Endurance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Two Faces Of Change!" 2 Kings 12: 1-8 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 9, 2005

“The Two Faces of Change!” 2 Kings 12: 1-8 Key verse(s): 2-3:“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.” On June 4, 1783 at the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 12:1-8

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

How Do You Do That? I Have A Perfect ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 1, 2006

How do you do that? I have a perfect illustration from my favorite book next to the Bible THE JOURNEY HOME by Orthodox Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. I’ve shared excerpts from his book with you in the past. Although it is classified as fiction, it is based on authentic events and a genuine friendship ...read more

Tags: Alcohol, Love, Joy, Peace

Denomination: Methodist